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Cervical‐transoral robotic nasopharyngectomy: A preclinical study
Author(s) -
Gorphe Philippe,
Stein Hubert,
MoyaPlana Antoine
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.26013
Subject(s) - medicine , parapharyngeal space , eustachian tube , surgery , dissection (medical) , transoral robotic surgery , cadaveric spasm , middle ear
Background We performed a preclinical study to assess the feasibility of the cervical‐transoral robotic pharyngectomy procedure in surgery for nasopharyngeal cancer, where deep margins and vascular safety are key issues. Materials and methods Four cadaveric dissections were performed with the da Vinci Xi system. The first step was a robotic parapharyngeal dissection along the internal carotid artery (ICA). The second step was a type 3 transoral robotic nasopharyngectomy. Results In each procedure, a comprehensive dissection of the parapharyngeal space was performed along the ICA up to the foramen lacerum. A type 3 nasopharyngectomy was performed transorally with an “en‐bloc” removal of the parapharyngeal space, and with complete removal of the eustachian tube up to its bony part. Conclusion A comprehensive cervical‐transoral robotic type 3 nasopharyngectomy with “en‐bloc” removal of the parapharyngeal space and the eustachian tube proved to be technically feasible in a preclinical study.