Robotic-Assisted Tubular Transoral Parapharyngeal Approach to the Ventral Craniovertebral Junction

BACKGROUND: Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) has become a routine technique for treating benign and malignant lesions of the oropharynx with the advantage of reducing morbidity compared to open surgical techniques. However, TORS has not been used routinely for accessing lesions of the spine. OBJECTIVE: To describe how TORS can be used to access spinal lesions. METHODS: We describe our technique of accessing the parapharyngeal space using the robotic technique, and then dissecting the prevertebral muscles to expose the ventral craniovertebral junction. Tubular retraction with endoscopic visualization is then employed for surgical resection. We then report a case of a 14-yr-old competitive athlete who presented with an osseous lesion of C1, which underwent resection using this novel TORS approach. RESULTS: Our patient underwent successful resection of a lateral C1 osteoid osteoma utilizing a combined TORS/endoscopic approach. She tolerated soft diet immediately and was discharged on postoperative day 2. Postoperative imaging revealed complete resection of the lesion, and she returned to competitive athletics within 6 wk. CONCLUSION: Utilizing this novel, robotic-assisted approach can definitively treat osseous cervical spine lesions while reducing morbidity, allowing for early return to normal diet and minimizing overall length of hospital stay.

Automated summary

TORS is commonly used for oropharyngeal lesions, but this study explores its application for spinal lesions. The robotic technique reduces morbidity and allows for early recovery.