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

ObjectiveDa 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 DesignRetrospective database review. SettingSingle academic tertiary care hospital. MethodsSubjects 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. ResultsA 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. ConclusionSP 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.