Bending the rules: A novel approach to laryngeal surgery in a body donor study.

Background: Transoral laser microsurgery, the standard surgical approach for early-stage laryngeal cancer, necessitates an unobstructed line of sight to the operating field. However, achieving adequate laryngeal exposure can be challenging, potentially compromising treatment outcomes.

Methods: We developed a 3D-printed curved laryngoscope (sMAC), designed to match the upper airway anatomy. In a user study (n = 15) with a human body donor we compared the sMAC system to conventional microlaryngoscopy regarding laryngeal exposure and accessibility in a difficult exposure scenario.

Results: All 15 participants achieved complete glottic exposure and successfully manipulated laryngeal landmarks using the sMAC system. Only four participants achieved partial exposure using microlaryngoscopy. Positioning of the sMAC system was significantly faster (p = 0.023). A vocal cord resection was conducted successfully (n = 2) using the sMAC system.

Conclusion: The sMAC system effectively addresses challenges associated with transoral laryngeal surgery. Ongoing development aims to overcome current limitations of the system and prepare first clinical trials.