Robot-assisted versus endoscopic submandibular gland resection via retroauricular approach: a prospective nonrandomized study

The aim of this study was to compare the short-term clinicopathological results of robot-assisted and endoscopic resection of the submandibular gland by the retroauricular approach.We present a prospective, non-random, study of 35 patients who had endoscope-assisted (n = 22), or robot-assisted (n = 13), resection of the submandibular gland using a retroauricular approach. Patients selected one of the two methods, and short-term clinical outcomes were then compared, including maximum diameter of the tumour and gland, length of incision, total operating time, amount of operative bleeding, amount and duration of drainage, duration of hospital stay, cosmesis, and complications. The operation was feasible in all patients with no appreciable operative complications or need to convert to a conventional open operation. The operating time of the robot-assisted group (63.4 (6.3) min) was comparable with that of the endoscopic group (66.5 (9.1) min) (p = 0.15). There were no differences in the other clinical outcomes between the 2 groups. Both groups of patients were extremely satisfied with their postoperative cosmesis, and did not differ significantly (p = 0.89). Robotic and endoscopic resection of the submandibular gland gave comparable early surgical outcomes and excellent cosmetic results. Despite the technical convenience for the surgeon, the robot gave no apparent clinical benefit over the endoscope in this series.