Surgical, Oncological, and Functional Outcomes of Transoral Robotic Supraglottic Laryngectomy

Outcomes of mini-invasive transoral surgery without neck dissection in supraglottic laryngeal cancer: Real world data from a tertiary cancer center

PURPOSE

The neck management in early-stage cN0 supraglottic cancer represents an argument of debate. The aim of our study is to evaluate the oncological and functional outcomes in patients with early-stage cN0 supraglottic carcinoma treated with a wait-and-see policy for the neck.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective monocentric cohort study in a referral cancer care center. We collected a consecutive sample of patients from 2000 to 2020 with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the supraglottis without clinical evidence of nodal metastases (cN0), surgically treated with Transoral Surgery (Laser or Robotic) without neck dissection. From 316 supraglottic cancer we finally selected 66 eligible participants that met all inclusion criteria.

RESULTS

Sixty-six patients (M 75.8 % vs F 24.2 %), median age 65.8 years (IQR 60.9, 70.5). The most common subsite was the epiglottis (62.1 %). Tumor stage distribution was as follows: 35 % cT1, 53 % cT2, 15.2 % cT3. Neither deaths nor major treatment-related complications were reported after surgery. The median follow-up was 62 months. For oncological outcomes, we evaluated 56 patients (10 excluded for adjuvant radiotherapy): 5-year overall survival rate 87 % (CI 95 %: 73.1-94), disease- specific survival rate 95.3 % (CI 95 %: 82-98.8) and neck recurrence-free survival rate 87 % (CI 95 %: 73.1-94). Six patients developed neck recurrence, with a median time of 13 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Supraglottic carcinoma has been historically associated to a considerable risk of occult metastasis. However, in early-stage cases data are still inconclusive. Our results suggest that in such patients a wait-and-see policy does not impact negatively on survival outcomes, while granting the reduced morbidity associated to a minimally invasive surgical approach.

Are new and young generations of surgeons more aware of transoral robotic surgery than older ones? An international survey

The objective of this study is to investigate adoption, perception, and awareness of otolaryngologist-head neck surgeons (OTO-HNS) toward transoral robotic surgery (TORS) according to the surgeon experience. A total of 1,383 OTO-HNS of YO-IFOS and IFOS received an online survey dedicated to the adoption, perception, and awareness toward TORS. The following outcomes were compared between residents and fellows, young/middle-aged and older OTO-HNS: awareness/perception; indications; advantages; barriers and expected improvements of TORS practice. From the 357 responders (26%), 147 participants were residents and fellows; while 105 and 105 OTO-HNS reported 10 to 19, and more than 20 years of practice. The main barriers of using TORS included the cost and the availability of robot, and the lack of training opportunity. The better view of the operative field and the shorter patient hospital stay were considered as the main advantages. Older surgeons trust more likely in TORS benefits (p = 0.001) and surgical field view advantages (p = 0.037) compared to younger participants. TORS is an important surgical minimal invasive approach for the future for 46% of residents and fellows versus 61% of older OTO-HNS (p = 0.001). Compared to older OTO-HNS, residents and fellows reported more frequently that the lack of training opportunity is the main barrier of TORS (52% versus 12%; p = 0.001). Residents and fellows did not share the same expectations of robot improvement for the future than older OTO-HNS. Experienced OTO-HNS had better perception and trust toward TORS than residents and fellows. Residents and fellows identified the lack of training opportunity as the main barrier to the use of TORS. TORS access and training programs need to be improved in academic hospitals for residents and fellows.

Single-Port Versus Multiport da Vinci System for Transoral Robotic Surgery of Hypopharyngeal and Laryngeal Carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

Da Vinci single port (SP) has been recently approved for transoral robotic surgery (TORS). Its characteristics make it particularly feasible for laryngeal and hypopharyngeal surgery. We report our experience comparing intra- and postoperative outcomes, technical advantages, and shortcomings of transoral laryngeal and hypopharyngeal resections performed with the da Vinci SP and the da Vinci Si/Xi systems.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective database review.

SETTING

Single academic tertiary care hospital.

METHODS

Subjects included adult patients with laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma who underwent TORS between 2008 and 2022. The SP and multiport (MP) systems were compared in terms of intraoperative times, short-term postoperative outcomes, and TORS-related complications after a propensity score matching.

RESULTS

A total of 185 patients were enrolled (56 SP vs 129 MP patients), and a cohort of 112 patients was analyzed after matching. The docking time was reduced in the SP group (8.84 ± 4.67 vs 6.45 ± 3.11 minutes; p = .003), as well as console time (53.91 ± 29.38 vs 42.70 ± 13.72 minutes; p = .035). Positive margins were more frequent in the MP group (52% vs 43%; p = .34). The mean decannulation time was 1.86 days longer in the SP group (p = .046). No significant differences emerged from the analysis of the duration of hospitalization, enteral feeding, and TORS-related complications.

CONCLUSION

SP safety profile is comparable to that of previous models, while it showed advantages in terms of reduced docking times. Console times were also shortened due to improved maneuverability and field visualization.

Prognostic role of surgical margins in patients undergoing transoral robotic surgery after neo-adjuvant chemotherapy

PURPOSE

To define if positive and close surgical margins are associated to worse prognosis in patients who underwent transoral robotic surgery (TORS) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT).

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was carried out at a tertiary referral center. The primary outcome was local-regional control (LRC), and the results were summarized with hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

A total of 308 patients (median age: 62.0, IQR: 55.0-68.2) were included. Univariable analysis showed a significant reduced LRC for patients with positive margins (HR = 1.82, 95% CI: 1.02-3.24). However, they were not associated with worse LRC after adjusting for adverse tumor variables (HR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.40-1.65). ROC analysis was performed on 123 patients with negative margins (AUC: 0.54) measuring an optimal threshold of 1.25 mm (sensitivity = 60.0%; specificity = 50.5%). Univariable analysis showed non-significant differences between close and wide negative margins (HR = 1.44, 95% CI: 0.59-3.54).

CONCLUSIONS

A positive surgical margin is not an independent predictor of tumor control and survival. A threshold of 1.25 mm was identified as the most appropriate to define close margins, but no difference was measured after distinguishing negative margins in close and wide margins.

Treatment of supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma with advanced technologies: observational prospective evaluation of oncological outcomes, functional outcomes, quality of life and cost-effectiveness (SUPRA-QoL)

BACKGROUND

Over the past decade, therapeutic options in head and neck supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma have constantly evolved. The classical total laryngectomy has been partially replaced by alternative organ- and function-sparing techniques with the same prognosis but less morbidity, such as Radiotherapy, Transoral Laser Microsurgery (TLM) and Trans-Oral Robotic Surgery (TORS). Up to now, a prospective comparison of these innovant techniques has not been conducted.

METHODS/DESIGN

We will conduct an original international multicentric prospective nonrandomized clinical trial to compare the efficacy between these treatments (Arm 1: Radiotherapy ± chemotherapy; Arm 2: TLM and Arm 3: TORS) with 4 classes of outcomes: quality of life (QoL), oncological outcomes, functional outcomes and economic resources. The population will include cT1-T2 /cN0-N1/M0 supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma. The primary outcome is a Clinical Dysphagia QoL evaluation assessed by the MD Anderson Dysphagia questionnaire. Secondary outcomes include others QoL evaluation, oncological and functional measures and cost parameters. The sample size needs to reach 36 patients per arm (total 108).

DISCUSSION

In the current literature, no prospective head-to-head trials are available to compare objectively these different treatments. With the increase of highly efficient treatments and the increase of oncological survival, it is imperative also to develop management strategies that optimize QoL and functional results. We will conduct this innovate prospective trial in order to obtain objective data in these two main issues.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT05611515 posted on 10/11/2022 (clinicaltrial.fgov).

Role of transoral robotic surgery in surgical treatment of early-stage supraglottic larynx carcinoma

BACKGROUND

There are several options for primary surgical treatment of early-stage supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), including transoral robotic surgery (TORS). The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes of TORS to open partial laryngectomy and transoral laser microsurgery (TLM).

METHODS

Patients with clinical classification T1-2 supraglottic SCC diagnosed 2010-2019, treated with TORS, open partial laryngectomy, or TLM in the National Cancer Database were selected.

RESULTS

One thousand six hundred three patients were included: 17% TORS, 26.5% TLM, 56.5% open. TORS patients had the lowest rates of adjuvant treatment (28.4% vs. TLM: 45.0%, open: 38.5%, p < 0.001), and lower positive margin rates than TLM (16.9% vs. 30.5%, p < 0.001). Thirty-day and ninety-day post-operative mortality did not differ between the approaches. Five-year survival was higher following TORS compared to open surgery (77.8% vs. 66.1%, p = 0.01); this difference persisted following matched-pair analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

TORS may be a safe and effective surgical approach for early-stage supraglottic SCC in appropriate patients.

Surgery for Supraglottic Laryngeal Cancer

Although total laryngectomy continues to be important treatment of supraglottic laryngeal cancer, the management of early-stage disease has evolved from primary radiation/chemoradiation to consideration of partial laryngectomy surgery. Surgeon experience and careful patient selection can lead to excellent oncologic and functional outcomes for these techniques. However, advanced stage tumors and salvage situations are challenging and the ability to eradicate disease and preserve function should be carefully considered. Contraindications to supraglottic laryngectomy depend on surgical approach, as do complications. With adequate patient selection, high rates of cure and function can be achieved with both open and transoral supraglottic laryngectomy procedures.

Development of machine learning models for the prediction of positive surgical margins in transoral robotic surgery (TORS)

PURPOSE

To develop machine learning (ML) models for predicting positive margins in patients undergoing transoral robotic surgery (TORS).

METHODS

Data from 453 patients with laryngeal, hypopharyngeal, and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma were retrospectively collected at a tertiary referral center to train (n = 316) and validate (n = 137) six two-class supervised ML models employing 14 variables available pre-operatively.

RESULTS

The accuracy of the six ML models ranged between 0.67 and 0.75, while the measured AUC between 0.68 and 0.75. The ML algorithms showed high specificity (range: 0.75-0.89) and low sensitivity (range: 0.26-0.64) in detecting patients with positive margins after TORS. NPV was higher (range: 0.73-0.83) compared to PPV (range: 0.45-0.63). T classification and tumor site were the most important predictors of positive surgical margins.

CONCLUSIONS

ML algorithms can identify patients with low risk of positive margins and therefore amenable to TORS.

Laryngeal Cancer Surgery: History and Current Indications of Transoral Laser Microsurgery and Transoral Robotic Surgery

The development of transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) was an important step in the history of conservative laryngeal surgery. TLM reported comparable oncological outcomes and better functional postoperative and rehabilitation outcomes than open partial laryngectomy. TLM is currently considered as the standard surgical approach for early-stage laryngeal carcinoma. However, TLM has many limitations, including the limited view of the surgical field through the laryngoscope, exposure difficulties for some tumor locations, and a long learning curve. The development of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) appears to be an important issue to overcome these limitations. The current robotic technologies used in surgery benefited from the research of the U.S. Military and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the 1970s and 1980s. The first application in humans started in the 2000s with the first robotic-assisted cholecystectomy in the US, performed by a surgeon located in France. The use of robots in otolaryngology occurred after the development of the Da Vinci system in digestive surgery, urology, and gynecology, and mainly concerns cT1-T2 and some selected cT3 oropharyngeal and supraglottic carcinomas. With the development of a new robotic system with smaller arms and instruments, TORS indications will probably evolve in the next few years, leading to better outcomes for laryngeal or hypopharyngeal carcinomas.

Transoral robotic cordectomy for glottic carcinoma: a rapid review

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to investigate feasibility, surgical, oncological, and functional outcomes of transoral robotic cordectomy (TORS-Co) and whether TORS-Co reported comparable outcomes of transoral laser microsurgery (TLM).

METHODS

PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library were searched by three laryngologists for studies investigating feasibility, surgical, oncological, and functional outcomes of patients benefiting from TORS-Co. The following outcomes were investigated according to the PRISMA statements: age; cT stage; types of cordectomy; surgical settings; complications; and functional and feasibility features.

RESULTS

Nine studies published between 2009 and 2021 met our inclusion criteria, accounting for 114 patients. There was no controlled study. TORS-Co was performed in cT1 or cT2 glottic cancer through types II, III, IV, V, or VI cordectomies. The exposure was inadequate in 4% of cases, leading to conversion in transoral laser cordectomy. Margins were positive in 4.5% and local recurrence occurred in 10.7% (N = 8/75). Tracheotomy and feeding tube requirement varied across studies, depending on the types of TORS-Co. The mean duration of robot installation/vocal cord exposure and operative times ranged from 20 to 42 min and 10 to 40 min, respectively. The mean duration of hospital stay ranged from 2 to 7 days. Complications included dyspnea, bleeding, granuloma, synechia, and tongue hematoma and dysesthesia.

CONCLUSION

The current robotic systems do not appear adequate for TORS-Co. TORS-Co was associated with higher rates of complications and tracheotomy than TLM.

Patient Benefit and Quality of Life after Robot-Assisted Head and Neck Surgery

Robotic systems for head and neck surgery are at different stages of technical development and clinical application. Currently, robotic systems are predominantly used for transoral surgery of the pharynx and larynx. Robotic surgery of the neck, the thyroid, and the middle and inner ear is much less common; however, some oncological and functional outcomes have been reported. This article provides an overview of the current state of robot-assisted head and neck surgery with a special emphasis on patient benefit and postoperative quality of life (QoL). The focus is placed on the role of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for the resection of oropharyngeal carcinomas. For this application, reported long-term outcomes show functional post-operative advantages for selected oropharyngeal cancer patients after TORS compared to open surgery and primary radiotherapy. Since TORS also plays a significant role in the context of potential therapy de-escalation for HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer patients, ongoing trials are presented. Regarding the evaluation of the therapeutic benefit and the QoL of cancer patients, special attention has to be paid to the large degree of variability of individual patients' preferences. Influencing factors and tools for a detailed assessment of QoL parameters are therefore detailed at the beginning of this article. Notably, while some robotic systems for ear and skull base surgery are being developed in Europe, TORS systems are mainly used in North America and Asia. In Europe and Germany in particular, transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) is a well-established technology for transoral tumor resection. Future trials comparing TORS and TLM with detailed investigation of QoL parameters are therefore warranted and might contribute to identifying suitable fields for the application of the different techniques.

Health-Related Quality-of-Life Outcomes after Transoral Robotic Surgery for T1 and T2 Supraglottic Laryngeal Carcinoma Compared to the Transcervical Open Supraglottic Approach

INTRODUCTION

This prospective controlled study evaluated and compared health-related quality of life (HRQOL), after transoral robotic supraglottic laryngectomy (TORSGL) versus transcervical open supraglottic laryngectomy (TCOSGL) in patients with T1 and T2 supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma (SLC).

METHODS

The TORSGL group comprised 14 patients, and the TCOSGL group comprised 13 patients. All 27 patients completed the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer 30-item core quality-of-life questionnaire version 3.0 (EORTC QLQ-C30), the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer head-and-neck cancer-specific module (EORTC QLQ-H&amp;N35), before treatment and during the early and the late postoperative periods.

RESULTS

The present prospective study demonstrated the near-term postoperative HRQOL of patients with T1 or T2 SLC treated with TORSGL (Group A) or TCOSGL (Group B). On comparison of EORTC QLQ-C30 data for the two groups in the early postoperative period, all functional subscale scores and global health status scores were statistically significantly lower (all p < 0.05) in Group A than in Group B and in the late postoperative period, other than the cognitive function score (p = 0.450), all functional subscale scores and global health status scores were statistically significantly lower (all p < 0.05) in Group A than in Group B. On comparison of the EORTC QLQ-H&amp;N35 data for the two groups in the early postoperative period, except for the teeth problems scale score (p = 0.061), all symptom scale scores were statistically significantly lower in Group A than in Group B (all p < 0.05) and in the late postoperative period, the speech, social eating, social contact, and coughing scale scores were statistically significantly lower (p = 0,0215, p = 0.021, p = 0.01, p = 0.011, respectively) in Group A than in Group B. HRQOL parameters recovered in the late postoperative period in both groups; recovery was better in Group A.

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION

This study suggested that TORSGL may provide patients with a better HRQOL than those TCOSGL, especially in the early period, but also in the late period.

Surgical, clinical and functional outcomes of transoral robotic surgery for supraglottic laryngeal cancers: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

The aim of this systematic review is to shed light the current indications and outcomes of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) supraglottic laryngectomy (SGL) in patients with supraglottic laryngeal cancer.

METHODS

PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane Library were searched by three independent otolaryngologists from the Young Otolaryngologists of IFOS for studies investigating the indications, effectiveness and safety of TORS SGL. Surgical, functional, and survival outcomes have been investigated. Inclusion/exclusion criteria; demographic data; and clinical outcome evaluation of papers were analyzed using PRISMA criteria.

RESULTS

A total of 14 papers met our inclusion criteria, accounting for 422 patients (335 males & 87 females). The tumor location mainly consisted of epiglottis (55.4%), aryepglottic fold (31.2%), and ventricular band (5.1%). The following tumor stages were considered: cT1 (35.8%); cT2 (48.6%) and cT3 (13.9%). Feeding tube and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy were used in 62.5% and 8.82% of patients, respectively. The 24-month local & regional control rates ranged from 94.3% to 100% and 87.5% to 94.0%, respectively. The 2-year and 5-year overall survival rates ranged from 66.7% to 88.0% and 78.7% to 80.2%, respectively. There was an important heterogeneity between studies with regard to the inclusion/exclusion criteria, follow-up times, complications analysis; surgical and functional outcomes.

CONCLUSION

TORS SGL is an effective approach for treating patients with early stages supraglottic cancers. Future controlled studies are needed to compare functional and survival outcomes between TORS SGL and other surgical approaches. Recommendations have been provided for future studies for better inclusion of patients, analysis of complications and functional outcomes.