Transoral robotic-assisted supracricoid partial laryngectomy with cricohyoidoepiglottopexy: Procedure development and outcomes of initial cases

Background: We report on the feasibility and functional outcome of transoral robotic (TORS) supracricoid partial laryngectomy (SCPL) with cricohyoidoepiglottopexy (CHEP). Methods: Cadaveric studies and functional outcome at 3 years using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC-QLQ-H&N35), the Functional Outcome Swallowing Scale (FOSS), the Performance Status Scale for Head and Neck Cancer (PSS-HN), computerized voice analysis, and videotape recordings. Data were compared with a historical cohort of open CHEPs/cricohyoidopexies (CHPs). Results: The EORTC-QLQ-H&N35 scores, FOSS scores, and PSS-HN scores at 3 years of 2 operated patients were 46 and 43, 2 and 1, and 75 of 100 (eating in public) and 100 of 100 (normalcy of diet), respectively. The mean fundamental frequency, jitter, shimmer, noise-to-harmonic ratio (NHR), and maximum phonation time (MPT) were 85 HZ and 81 Hz, 8.52% and 6.39%, 28.2% and 13.5%, 0.61 and 0.71, 19 seconds and 15 seconds, respectively. Conclusion: Functional outcome data suggest that the procedure is feasible and safe.