Robotic assisted reconstruction of the oropharynx

Purpose of review Oropharyngeal reconstruction has undergone significant advances over the last several decades. Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) is a new approach to managing tumors of this location and requires unique reconstructive principles. Recent findings The advent of TORS has popularized transoral approaches and has presented new challenges related to reconstruction. Although TORS provides a minimally invasive approach to the oropharynx, there is a paucity of data related to reconstruction of extensive defects following TORS. Our institutional practice is to reconstruct defects based on the Classification for Oropharyngeal Robotic Defects (CORD) classification system. The CORD system considers size, location, number of involved oropharyngeal subsites, pharyngocervical communication, and exposure of carotid artery to guide reconstruction. This system uses more advanced reconstructions to manage increasingly complex defects. Summary Herein, we present principles of robotic assisted oropharyngeal reconstruction and the method for applying the CORD system.