First Prospective Study on Single‐Port Robotic Tongue Base Resection for Sleep Apnea

Background

This first prospective study evaluates the efficacy and safety of single‐port transoral robotic surgery (SP TORS) for tongue base resection (TBR) in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients.

Methods

A single‐center, single‐surgeon clinical investigation enrolled 25 subjects from April 2021 to September 2022. Pre‐ and postsurgery polysomnography reports and standardized sleep quality assessments were collected. Surgical parameters and complications were documented.

Results

According to Sher's success criteria (50% reduction in AHI and AHI < 20), the success rate was 76% (19/25 patients). Preoperative AHI decreased from 58.56 ± 26.40 to 18.19 ± 22.02 postsurgery. Symptoms such as foreign body sensation and taste dysfunction improved within 3 months. Major complications, including hemorrhage, occurred in two patients (8%).

Conclusions

SP TORS TBR effectively manages OSA, significantly improving AHI outcomes and safety. Its precision and targeted tissue removal highlight its advantages over traditional methods, warranting further clinical investigation.

Traial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04795817.