title: Demonstration of transoral robotic supraglottic laryngectomy and total laryngectomy in cadaveric specimens using the Medrobotics Flex System.
abstract: Current management of laryngeal malignancies is associated with significant morbidity. Application of minimally invasive transoral techniques may reduce the morbidity associated with traditional procedures. The purpose of this study was to present our investigation of the utility of a novel flexible robotic system for transoral supraglottic laryngectomy and total laryngectomy.
  
  
  
  Transoral total laryngectomy and transoral supraglottic laryngectomy were performed in cadaveric specimens using the Flex Robotic System (Medrobotics, Raynham, MA).
  
  
  
  All procedures were completed successfully in the cadaveric models. The articulated endoscope allowed for access to the desired surgical site. Flexible instruments enabled an atraumatic approach and allowed for precise surgical technique.
  
  
  
  Access to deep anatomic structures remains problematic using current minimally invasive robotic approaches. Improvements in visualization and access to the laryngopharyngeal complex offered by this system may improve surgical applications to the larynx. This study demonstrates the technical feasibility using the Flex Robotic System for transoral robotic supraglottic laryngectomy and total laryngectomy. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 39: 1218-1225, 2017.
authors.affiliation: The Pennsylvania State University, College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Funk
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, The Pennsylvania State University, College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Goldenberg
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, The Pennsylvania State University, College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Neerav
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Goyal
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002102:Cadaver; D004867:Equipment Design; D004869:Equipment Safety; D005260:Female; D005931:Glottis / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D009055:Mouth; D057605:Natural Orifice Endoscopic Surgery / Q000379:methods*; D065287:Robotic Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D012371:Robotics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013536:Suture Techniques
keywords: flexible endoscope; head and neck cancer; laryngectomy; minimally invasive surgery; transoral robotic surgery