Robot-assisted selective neck dissection combined with facelift parotidectomy in parotid cancer

Background Robot-assisted neck dissection in patients with head and neck cancer has been demonstrated to be feasible. We conceived a surgical technique of surgery for parotid cancer with the robotic system via a gasless modified facelift (MFL) approach. A detailed surgical technique is provided. Methods In a 28-year-old female patient with parotid cancer, the disease was treated with primary tumor resection with robotic selective neck dissection I to III via an MFL incision. Results Robot-assisted selective neck dissection I to III combined with primary tumor resection was successfully conducted without any significant intraoperative complication, applying additional incision, or conversion to open conventional neck dissection. Videographic demonstration of the robotic-assisted neck dissection is included. Conclusion Robot-assisted surgery via the MFL approach is a feasible and useful method with excellent cosmetic results for the surgical treatment in selected cases of parotid gland cancer. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 36: 592–595, 2014