A Pilot Study Assessing Robotic Surgery in the Seated Position for Benign and Malignant Lesions of the Head and Neck

The da Vinci Robotic Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA) being
evaluated in this pilot study consists of 3 basic components: a surgeon's console,
articulated mechanical arms and sterilizable instruments. The console includes a computer,
video monitor and instrument controls, and is located in the operating room adjacent to the
operating room table. The console is connected via computer to the mechanical arms holding
the endoscope (surgical TV camera) and sterile surgical tools (e.g., forceps, scissors,
electrocautery, etc.). These arms are located immediately adjacent to the patient on the
operating room table. The surgeon sits at the console and controls the position and movement
of the arms and surgical tools. The design of these tools is based upon well-established,
commonly used surgical instruments. The da Vinci Robotic Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical,
Inc., Sunnyvale, CA) is a "manual image-guided surgery" system that is computer enhanced
rather than "computer guided robotic surgery" in which the surgeon programs the computer to
do the surgery and the robot does the surgery (also known as a "milling" device). Use of the
da Vinci Robotic Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA) in the
aforementioned configuration in fact facilitates an exact translation of the surgeon's hand
and finger movements at the console to precise and tremor-free movements of the arms and
instruments.

Inclusion criteria:

- Patient must present with indications for diagnostic or therapeutic surgery for benign
or malignant diseases of the head and neck

- Written informed consent