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Robotic transmaxillary approach to the lateral infratemporal fossa: A preclinical cadaveric study using a next‐generation single‐port robotic system
Author(s) -
Turner Meghan T.,
Topf Michael C.,
Holsinger F. Christopher,
Chan Jason Y.K.
Publication year - 2021
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.26680
Subject(s) - infratemporal fossa , pterygopalatine fossa , dissection (medical) , port (circuit theory) , cadaveric spasm , surgery , medicine , anatomy , biomedical engineering , skull , engineering , electrical engineering
Robotic transmaxillary skull base surgery has been described using multiport systems. This cadaveric study investigates the feasibility of transmaxillary skull base surgery using a next‐generation robot. An extended Caldwell‐Luc antrostomy, measuring 3.3 cm by 4.0 cm, was performed in 15 min using a Kerrison rongeur and the robotic endoscope. A single‐port, robotic system (da Vinci Sp®, Intuitive Surgical, Inc, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) was then deployed throught the extended Caldwell‐Luc approach and provided sufficient reach, visualization, and maneuverability to work within the pterygopalatine fossa (PPF) and the infratemporal fossa (ITF) using three surgical instruments. The ITF dissection was easiest with two instruments using the third instrument to retract the muscles of mastication. This study demonstrates the feasibility of single‐port robotic transmaxillary approaches to the lateral ITF. Using a single‐port robotic system, the operating surgeon can for the first time work in the PPF and ITF using two functional arms for tumor dissection and a third to retract.