Oropharyngeal Free Flap Inset With a Single Port Robot: A Case Series

INTRODUCTION: Traditional oropharyngeal resection may require lip-split mandibulotomy approach (LSMA) which risks high morbidity. Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) through the oral pharynx mitigates these risks. Free flap (FF) inset following resection is challenging and may require open approaches, negating the benefits of TORS resection. We present our case series utilizing the single port (SP) robot for FF inset, which has improved visualization and functionality compared with a multiport robot. METHODS: A retrospective review of robotic FF inset following TORS using the SP from 2021 to 2022. Patient and tumor characteristics as well as operative and postoperative details were gathered. RESULTS: Five cases were performed with an average age of 62.4 (50-78) years. Radial forearm FF was used in three cases and anterolateral thigh flap in two. Mean operative time was 528 (423-742) minutes with an average ischemia time of 156.6 (124-198) min. Average functional oral intake score was 5.8 (3-7) out of 7. There were no FF losses or wound healing issues at an average of 17.6 (7-27) months follow-up. CONCLUSION: Robotic FF inset following TORS is feasible with the SP robot already used by ENTs for resection. The platform has 6 mm instruments capable of 7 degrees of freedom, use of a third arm for dynamic retraction, and the ability to assume a "cobra-like" position to leverage a tight space. This gives plastic surgeons an opportunity to decrease the complication profile from FF inset that would otherwise require potentially morbid exposures.

Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.

Peer-reviewed clinical and outcomes research relevant to medicinal leech therapy and its biology. Indexed in PubMed and verified against the NCBI record.

Explore cómo esta investigación se conecta con la práctica clínica

More peer-reviewed studies in Ensayos clínicos.

• Leech Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis — The Landmark RCT — Michalsen et al. (2003)
• Leech-Assisted Flap Salvage — Systematic Review of 277 Cases — Whitaker et al. (2012)
• Effects of hirudotherapy on liver functions, lipid profile, and insulin sensitivity in rats with metabolic syndrome — Bilden A et al. (2026)
• HIRUDOTHERAPY IN PRESBYACUZIS PRAECOX IN CLEAN-UP WORKERS AFTER THE CHORNOBYL ACCIDENT DURING THE POST-CATASTROPHE YEARS — Zabolotnyi D, Mishchanchuk N (2019)
• Wound healing potential of bark paste of Pongamia pinnata along with hirudotherapy: A case report — Balasooriya D, Karunarathna C, Uluwaduge I (2021)
• AIF-1 and RNASET2 Play Complementary Roles in the Innate Immune Response of Medicinal Leech — Baranzini N et al. (2019)
• Study on the effect of medicinal leech therapy (Hirudo medicinalis) on full-thickness excisional wound healing in the animal model — Zakian A et al. (2022)
• [Hirudo medicinalis-leech applications in plastic and reconstructive microsurgery--a literature review] — Knobloch K et al. (2007)
• The duration of rest and feeding greatly affects the re-breeding of ectoparasites: Hirudo verbana, Hirudo medicinalis and Hirudo orientalis — Aminov R, Frolov A, Aminova A (2022)
• Recombinant hirudin in clinical practice: focus on lepirudin — Greinacher A, Lubenow N (2001)

Browse all ASH-analysed research →