Trans-Oral Robotic Surgery (TORS)

About trans-oral robotic surgery

Cancers of the tonsils and base of tongue are challenging to reach. TORS enables our surgeons to remove these cancers using a more minimally invasive approach compared to traditional surgeries.

Trans-oral robotic surgery offers the advantages of advanced computerized technology, delicate surgical instruments, and sophisticated 3D imaging. This technique makes it possible for surgeons to navigate small spaces in the back of the throat.

TORS enables surgeons to remove tumors in these areas with care and precision. Most patients experience a faster recovery and regain their ability to speak and swallow after surgery.

Who needs trans-oral robotic surgery?

TORS can be an effective treatment for certain cancers of the back of the throat, especially the base of tongue and tonsils (oropharynx cancers). Our highly-trained head and neck surgeons will work with you to determine whether TORS is right for you.

This treatment can be a particularly effective option for patients with throat cancers due to the human papillomavirus (HPV). In select HPV-related throat cancer patients, TORS may be the only necessary treatment

Why choose us for trans-oral robotic surgery?

Fellowship-trained head and neck surgeons perform TORS. We are among the few cancer centers in Central and South Texas offering this option. Our experience from regularly performing TORS helps us deliver focused care.

If you need additional therapies, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, we coordinate your care. Our team of cancer experts also includes medical oncologists and radiation oncologists. We work together to keep your treatment moving forward.

Trans-oral robotic surgery: What to expect

Here’s what happens during cancer surgery with TORS:

• You receive medication to help you sleep and feel no sensation during the procedure.
• The surgeon sits near you at a computer console that controls the robotic surgical technology. The surgeon maintains control of this technology at all times.
• The surgeon guides specialized instruments (the robot) through your mouth to the cancer site.
• A 3D camera provides high-definition, magnified images that maximize the surgeon’s view and access to the tumor.
• Care may also include a neck dissection. This procedure requires an incision in your neck to detect and remove nearby tissue (lymph nodes) that may be cancerous.
• In the weeks following surgery, your tongue may be swollen, making it difficult to talk. Our speech therapists can help you get relief. Read more about speech therapy during cancer treatment.