Transoral robotic-assisted laryngeal cleft repair in the pediatric patient

Abstract

Transoral robotic-assisted laryngeal cleft repair may offer specific advantages over a traditional endoscopic approach. In our experience, the procedure was well tolerated and associated with definitive surgical cure in all patients. The scope of robotic technology continually expands and should be considered a feasible tool at an institution-based level.

Transoral robotic surgery for upper airway pathology in the pediatric population

“…Many early reports have appropriately focused on safety, feasibility, operative time, and docking time . Pediatric TORS is a clear example of early development and exploration phases of surgical innovation in both its application in the pediatric airway and description in the literature .…”

“…It was first described in human pediatric patients by Rahbar et al with a case series of five patients in 2007 . Since that time, there have been seven case reports and case series presented in the literature; the largest describes 16 patients who underwent lingual tonsillectomy . The role of TORS in the pediatric airway is still evolving.…”

Indications for Surgical Repair of Type 1 Laryngeal Cleft

“…9 Several days of intubation were required after a prolonged robotic repair. 10 Our standard practice is to keep the patients in the hospital overnight for observation, but patients are sometimes discharged home the same day if they meet necessary criteria for oral intake, similar to post-tonsillectomy patients.…”

Type 1 Laryngeal Cleft and feeding and swallowing difficulties in infants and toddlers: A Review

“…The mucosal edges are then approximated using either vicryl (4‐0 to 6‐0) or polydioxanone (PDS, 4‐0 to 7‐0) absorbable sutures on a reverse cutting needle where a single purse‐string suture or multiple buried interrupted sutures may be applied . One author reported the use of a trans‐oral robotic approach, although this is not commonplace and may prolong the operative time due to the involved set‐up time …”