Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to postoperatively assess the patients with head and neck cancer undergoing transoral robotic surgery (TORS) using the da Vinci robotic surgery system in terms of nursing care and to review possible advantages and disadvantages of robotic surgery.

METHODS: A total of 56 patients (52 males, 4 females; mean age 47.5 years; range 40 to 54 years) with head and neck cancer who were admitted to Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery clinic of Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital between June 2010 and June 2014 and were operated with TORS using the da Vinci robotic surgery system were retrospectively analyzed. Using the patient files, data including pre- and postoperative clinical features and complications were recorded.

RESULTS: Dyspnea and need for tracheotomy were only observed in three patients who underwent supraglottic partial laryngectomy. None of the patients had a life-threatening postoperative bleeding. The mean length of hospital stay was four days. The mean time to initiation of oral feeding was 1 to 7 days (range 1 to 2), while time to speech production was 1.4 days (range 1 to 2).

CONCLUSION: Our study results show that TORS is superior to open surgical techniques with improved postoperative patient comfort, less need for tracheotomy, no need for wound care, early return to daily activity, low risk of infection, early regain of swallowing and speech, and shorter hospital stay.