A new analysis of 479 patients finds that single-port robotic surgery for obstructive sleep apnea and other throat conditions is feasible. The procedure, called transoral robotic surgery using the da Vinci single-port system, was studied across several types of surgery, including tongue-base procedures for sleep apnea and cancer removal.
On average, the surgery took about 58 minutes, with docking time around 10 minutes and console time about 60 minutes. Blood loss averaged 24 mL, and hospital stay averaged 10.6 days. Bleeding was the most common complication, but major bleeding requiring surgery was uncommon.
However, the evidence comes from nonrandomized studies with high variability between them. Long-term results were not consistently reported. The analysis did not compare single-port surgery to other approaches, so it is unclear if it is better or worse than standard treatments.
For now, single-port robotic surgery appears to be a reasonable option for certain throat surgeries, but more rigorous studies are needed to confirm its benefits and risks. Patients should discuss all treatment options with their doctor.