West China Hospital of Stomatology Performs World's First Single-Port Robot-Assisted Oral Cancer Neck Lymph Node Dissection and Integrated Reconstruction

Background

Oral cancer treatment frequently requires neck lymph node dissection in addition to primary tumor removal to address potential metastasis. Traditional open surgery for neck dissection has typically involved a large L-shaped incision in the neck. This can lead to visible scarring, risk of injury to nerves such as the spinal accessory nerve that affects shoulder function, impacts on speech and swallowing, and often necessitates separate procedures for reconstruction of defects in the oral cavity.

The Head and Neck Tumor Surgery team at Sichuan University West China Hospital of Stomatology has prior experience with minimally invasive endoscopic techniques using hidden incisions and domestic surgical robots for oral and maxillofacial procedures. In mid-August 2025, the team announced advances using a new domestic robotic platform to perform neck dissection and reconstruction with reduced external trauma.

What was achieved

The team completed what sources describe as the world's first single-port robot-assisted oral cancer neck lymph node dissection via a single postauricular hairline incision. The procedure utilized the domestically developed Shurui single-port snake-arm multi-arm endoscopic surgical robot, which has completely independent intellectual property rights in China. This avoided the traditional large neck incision.

The team also pioneered an integrated procedure combining the robotic neck dissection with immediate transoral vascularized flap reconstruction using tissue such as an anterolateral thigh flap. In reported cases, this allowed completion of dissection, tumor resection, and reconstruction in a single operation. Sources note preservation of the accessory nerve, with patients often regaining shoulder and neck mobility within about one week. One patient referred to only as Mr. Wang (a pseudonym) was reported as satisfied with the cosmetic outcome, stating he had expected a large scar but found none visible.

How it works

Surgeons create a single incision approximately 6 to 7 centimeters long, positioned behind the ear and concealed within the hairline. The Shurui robot's three flexible, snake-shaped, multi-jointed arms along with a high-definition 3D endoscope are introduced through this one port. The endoscope provides a view that magnifies anatomical structures more than ten times, assisting in the precise separation of lymph tissue in the tight subcutaneous space while identifying and protecting fine nerves and vessels including the accessory nerve and facial nerve.

Following the neck dissection phase, the procedure continues without additional external incisions by transitioning to a transoral route. Through the mouth, the surgical team performs microvascular anastomosis to transplant and secure a vascularized flap, such as one taken from the patient's thigh, to repair the defect remaining after tumor removal. This integrated single-session approach combines what might otherwise require multiple operations and separate anesthetics, aiming to limit overall trauma while addressing both cancer clearance and functional reconstruction in the confined anatomy of the head and neck.

What it means for international patients

The hospital operates a special needs international medical department offering services for overseas patients, including bilingual Chinese-English support and dedicated VIP facilities. This development in single-port robotic head and neck techniques may be of interest to patients seeking advanced minimally invasive options for oral cancer where eligibility criteria are met.

International patients considering care must confirm eligibility, suitability, and availability directly with the hospital, as individual cases depend on tumor stage, anatomy, overall health, and the clinical judgment of the treating team. Sources do not report specific protocols for medical tourism related to this pioneering procedure.

About the hospital

West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, is located in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. Established in 1907 as the Renji Dental Clinic, it expanded to become China's first specialized stomatology hospital and the site of the country's first higher dental college in 1917. It is recognized as the cradle of modern stomatology in China.

It functions as the National Center for Stomatology, the State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, and the National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases. As a tertiary A-level specialized hospital, it has eight national key clinical specialties in oral medicine fields. It has ranked first in China in multiple stomatology discipline assessments, with global positions in the top ten according to QS World University Rankings by Subject and top five per ShanghaiRanking in recent evaluations. The head and neck oncology department has conducted prior work with endoscopic retroauricular approaches and domestic robots.