Robot-Assisted Free Flap in Head and Neck Reconstruction
Archives of Plastic Surgery
;
: 353-358, 2013.
Article
in English
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-176212
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Robots have allowed head and neck surgeons to extirpate oropharyngeal tumors safely without the need for lip-split incision or mandibulotomy. Using robots in oropharyngeal reconstruction is new but essential for oropharyngeal defects that result from robotic tumor excision. We report our experience with robotic free-flap reconstruction of head and neck defects to exemplify the necessity for robotic reconstruction.METHODS:
We investigated head and neck cancer patients who underwent ablation surgery and free-flap reconstruction by robot. Between July 1, 2011 and March 31, 2012, 5 cases were performed and patient demographics, location of tumor, pathologic stage, reconstruction methods, flap size, recipient vessel, necessary pedicle length, and operation time were investigated.RESULTS:
Among five free-flap reconstructions, four were radial forearm free flaps and one was an anterolateral thigh free-flap. Four flaps used the superior thyroid artery and one flap used a facial artery as the recipient vessel. The average pedicle length was 8.8 cm. Flap insetting and microanastomosis were achieved using a specially manufactured robotic instrument. The total operation time was 1,041.0 minutes (range, 814 to 1,132 minutes), and complications including flap necrosis, hematoma, and wound dehiscence did not occur.CONCLUSIONS:
This study demonstrates the clinically applicable use of robots in oropharyngeal reconstruction, especially using a free flap. A robot can assist the operator in insetting the flap at a deep portion of the oropharynx without the need to perform a traditional mandibulotomy. Robot-assisted reconstruction may substitute for existing surgical methods and is accepted as the most up-to-date method.
Full text:
Available
Index:
WPRIM (Western Pacific)
Main subject:
Oropharynx
/
Arteries
/
Thigh
/
Thyroid Gland
/
Robotics
/
Demography
/
Free Tissue Flaps
/
Forearm
/
Glycosaminoglycans
/
Head
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Archives of Plastic Surgery
Year:
2013
Type:
Article
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