Overview
Summary
Transoral Robotic Surgery (TORS) uses the da Vinci Surgical System for surgical treatment of oropharyngeal cancers. The da Vinci system is composed of a console at which the surgeon is seated, a surgical cart, and four robotic arms. The da Vinci surgical system provides surgeons with improved dexterity and precision, and can overcome a number of the limitations associated with traditional surgical approaches, such as line of site obstruction and a limited operative field.
Key dates
Sep 2017 - Sep 2019
Implementation sites
Princess Alexandra Hospital
Partnerships
Healthcare Improvement Unit
Aim
Provides an opportunity to pilot and evaluate new technologies within 'real world' clinical settings in the Queensland context.
Benefits
The potential benefits of this technology include:
- TORS afforded improved surgical visualisation and manoeuvrability and provided superior accessibility.
- Significantly, 86 per cent of TORS patients avoided additional treatment with radiotherapy and none had chemotherapy.
- TORS is less invasive, resulting in shorter hospital stays.
- TORS is safe; with no major complications and no surgical infections.
- Most (86 per cent) TORS patients had negative margins in excised tissue.
- The majority of patients reported an improved quality of life after TORS.
Background
This technology was funded through the New Technology Funding and Evaluation Program (NTFEP). The NTFEP funds the introduction and evaluation of new technologies that:
- Are safe and effective
- Provide better health outcomes
- Provide value for money
- Provide greater access to care.
The evaluation findings will inform recommendations regarding the future use and/or investment of the technology within Queensland.
Evaluation and results
Key findings will be published at the end of the evaluation period.
Resources
Public resources
Key contact
Jacqui Thomson
Manager, Healthcare Evaluation and Assessment of Technology
Healthcare Improvement Unit