Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Irit Duek is a surgeon-researcher whose work sits at the intersection of minimally invasive surgery and head and neck oncology, with a particular focus on robotic and endoscopic surgical techniques. Her most significant contributions center on the surgical management of parapharyngeal space tumors (PPSTs), a technically demanding area given the region's complex anatomy. Duek has been instrumental in developing and refining the combined endoscopic transcervical-transoral robotic approach for PPST resection, offering a safer alternative to traditional blind finger dissection techniques that carry elevated risks of tumor spillage and neurovascular injury. These contributions, published in 2016 and 2017, have accumulated nearly 70 citations combined, reflecting meaningful uptake within the surgical community. Beyond parapharyngeal surgery, Duek has contributed to the growing body of evidence supporting transoral robotic surgery (TORS) in the HPV era, addressing the rising incidence of HPV-related oropharyngeal cancers with less invasive treatment paradigms. Her research also extends to functional outcomes, notably examining long-term swallowing performance following TORS for obstructive sleep apnea. Across her body of work, Duek consistently champions precision, patient safety, and the expansion of minimally invasive options in challenging surgical territories.