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TORS Specialist in Jacksonville

Trans-Oral Robotic Surgery

Trans-Oral Robotic Surgery, or TORS, uses a robot to provide access to areas in the back of the throat and tongue. The various surgical applications for Trans-Oral Robotic Surgery include tumors of the base of tongue, hypopharynx and select laryngeal tumors. A new and promising use of Trans-Oral Robotic Surgery is for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. In these cases, Trans-Oral Robotic Surgery is used to reduce the size of the tongue and the back of the throat to improve airflow and breathing. Compared with traditional open surgical options, Trans-Oral Robotic Surgery provides improved visualization and access to such difficult-to- access areas. This often translates into less pain and swelling after the surgery.

The da Vinci® surgical robotic system allows several advantages over the traditional surgical approaches:

  • The advantage of 3D high-definition visualization of the anatomic structures, and the precision and dexterity afforded by robotic instrumentation.
  • Performance of endoscopic procedures that otherwise would be performed through an open approach, therefore minimizing morbidity and improving functional outcome as compared to an open approach.
  • Potentially avoids larger incisions or disfiguring open approaches, resulting in scarring, longer hospitalization, or postoperative pain.
  • Maximum preservation of function and enhanced definition of safe margin for complete tumor removal
  • Quicker return to normal speech and swallowing

Reviewed by the board-certified ENT Doctors at North Florida Sinus Center

Still have questions? Ask one of our ENTs!

Figure 1 Endoscopic view of the base of tongue being treated with the robotic system.  The large tongue base is causing obstructive sleep apnea.  Reducing the tongue base size can reduce airway obstruction and improve airflow.

References:

  1. O’Malley BW, Weinstein GS, Snyder W, Hockstein NG. Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for base of tongue neoplasms. Laryngoscope. 2006 Aug;116(8):1465-72
  2. Weinstein GS, O’Malley BW Jr, Snyder W, Sherman E, Quon H. Transoral robotic surgery: radical tonsillectomy. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2007 Dec;133(12):1220-6.
  3. The da Vinci® Transoral Surgery Procedure Guide PN 871671 Rev. A 8/08