Surgical techniques and treatment outcomes of transoral robotic supraglottic partial laryngectomy.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS The objective of this prospective study was to confirm the validity of transoral robotic supraglottic partial laryngectomy as a conservation surgery for treating supraglottic cancer. STUDY DESIGN Prospective case study. METHODS Between December 2009 and November 2011, 16 patients were enrolled in this study. Acoustic waveform analysis was conducted and Voice Handicap Index 10 was measured to assess voice status. Videopharyngogram study and the functional outcome swallowing scale were administered to evaluate swallowing function. Overall survival and disease-free survival were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS A negative margin was reported in 88% patients. During the follow-up period, distant metastasis occurred in one patient at 6 months. The Kaplan-Meier disease-free survival at 1 year was 91%. Patients exhibited complete recovery of swallowing ability after an average of 8.3 days. Videopharyngogram study showed aspiration in one patient. The cannula could be removed at an average 11.2 days. The average hospital stay was 13.5 days. Concerning the results of the functional outcome swallowing scale and Voice Handicap Index 10, most patients (90.9%) subjectively reported favorable swallowing and voice function. CONCLUSIONS Transoral robotic surgery was a safe and feasible modality of treating supraglottic cancer. According to our data, transoral robotic surgery demonstrated oncologically and functionally acceptable results in supraglottic cancer patients.