Robotic surgical systems in maxillofacial surgery: a review

Abstract

Robotic surgery has shown promise for head and neck diseases, although more research is needed before it supplants traditional approaches. In a review article, En Luo and colleagues from Sichuan University’s West China Hospital of Stomatology in Chengdu discuss the history of robot surgical systems and the recent growth in popularity of such techniques for treating oropharyngeal cancer, cleft palates, craniofacial asymmetries and other conditions that require maxillofacial surgery. The authors describe how robot-assisted surgery in the head and neck region can result in less blood loss, fewer complications, shorter hospitalizations and better cosmetic results than conventional or endoscopic surgery. However, robotic surgery is expensive, takes longer to perform and lacks the human touch of a trained surgeon. More prospective trials are needed to determine if robotic surgery is truly superior.

Keywords

head and neck / maxillofacial surgery / oral surgical procedures / robotic surgery

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