title: Gland-preserving robotic surgery for benign submandibular gland tumours: a comparison between robotic and open techniques.
abstract: Benign tumours of the submandibular gland are usually treated surgically. Gland-preserving techniques, which can be used to completely remove the tumour, preserve the function of the gland and reduce complications, but conventional open operations result in obvious scars on the neck. We aimed to investigate the feasibility and efficacy of gland-preserving robotic surgery using a hairline approach. We compared robotic with open techniques for gland-preserving operations to remove benign tumours of the submandibular gland. Patients were matched for age and sex (4 in each group). All patients in the robotic surgery group had their tumours removed successfully through hairline approaches. No patient had operative complications or postoperative functional nerve deficit, and an aesthetically pleasing outcome was achieved by concealing the scars within the hairline. Robotic operations took longer than open operations. No recurrence was noted during follow-up. Gland-preserving robotic surgery is a feasible alternative to conventional techniques and has potential advantages for safety and aesthetic outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan; Research Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address: yangtl@ntu.edu.tw.
authors.forename: Tsung-Lin
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Jenq-Yuh
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Pei-Jen
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Lou
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Cheng-Ping
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Tzu-Yu
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Hsiao
mesh_terms: D008949:Adenoma, Pleomorphic / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000517:prevention & control; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004210:Dissection / Q000379:methods; D004954:Esthetics; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061646:Operative Time; D059351:Organ Sparing Treatments / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012371:Robotics / Q000379:methods*; D012535:Scalp / Q000601:surgery; D013365:Submandibular Gland Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Aesthetic; Gland-preserving surgery; Robotic surgery; Submandibular gland; Tumour