The Role of TORS in the Management of Benign Pathology of the Base of Tongue: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE

Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) is becoming increasingly popular in head and neck surgery. Its applications have expanded beyond oncologic indications to obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and, more recently, to benign pathologies.

DATA SOURCES

A systematic search for articles published in the PubMed and Google Scholar databases between January 2003 and December 2023 was performed using the following combined search query (robot OR sleep OR apnea OR syndrome) AND (robot OR tongue OR base).

REVIEW METHODS

Given the limited literature, we conducted a systematic review focusing on the outcomes of TORS for benign pathologies of the base of the tongue. Our search methodology followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

RESULTS

We found 16 articles that met our inclusion criteria. These were mainly case reports and a few case series.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to other transoral techniques, TORS offers better exposure, visualization, and access to the oropharynx, especially the base of the tongue, even in benign pathology. TORS should be considered a feasible, safe, and effective technique. Several more studies are needed to effectively evaluate the role of TORS in benign pathology that does not correlate with OSAS.