[Robot-assisted neck dissection via retroauricular approach in head and neck cancer].

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of robot-assisted neck dissection via retroauricular approach for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 22 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who underwent robot-assisted neck dissection via the retroauricular approach at Beijing United Family Hospital from March 2018 to August 2023. Among them, 6 were female and 16 were male, with an age range of 39-75 years. Preoperative staging showed N0 for 9 patients (41%), N1 for 12 patients (55%), and N2 for 1 patient (4%). The relevant clinical pathological and follow-up data were collected, and the effectiveness and safety of this surgical approach were analyzed. Kaplan Meier method was used to analyze the patient survival rate. Results: All patients were completed the robot-assisted neck dissection without conversion to open neck surgery, including the dissections of Ⅱ-Ⅳ regions in 11 patients, Ⅱ-Ⅲ regions in 8 patients, Ⅰ-Ⅳ regions in 2 patients, and Ⅰ-Ⅲ regions in 1 patient. The total number of dissected lymph nodes ranged from 7 to 69 (average 25.5), and the total number of metastatic lymph nodes ranged from 0 to 4 (average 1.4). The average total drainage volume was 145.8 ml. During the operation, one patient had pharyngocervical communication with the neck, which was sutured without postoperative pharyngeal fistula. After the operation, one patient developed a wound hematoma and improved after bedside drainage and hemostasis. The median follow-up time was 30 months. At the end of follow-up, one patient developed parapharyngeal lymph node recurrence, but no recurrence in the conventional neck dissection area. The 3-year neck control rate was 94.7% and the 3-year overall survival rate was 83.3%. The median satisfaction score for appearance was 10 points. Conclusion: Robot-assisted neck dissection via the retroauricular approach for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma can achieve good oncological and functional outcomes, with fewer postoperative complications and higher patient appearance satisfaction.