Transoral robotic surgery, or TORS, uses robotic instruments passed through the mouth to remove tumours of the throat and tongue base, avoiding the external incisions and jaw splitting approaches sometimes needed with conventional surgery.
Signs Worth Getting Checked
Should You Be Worried?
Operating through the mouth rather than through an external incision can sound like it might be less thorough. For suitable tumours, it is not, TORS achieves the same oncological clearance as open approaches, while avoiding more invasive techniques such as jaw splitting that were historically used for some throat tumours.
What Raises Your Risk
Tobacco and alcohol use are established risk factors for these tumours, and HPV infection is an increasingly recognised cause, particularly for oropharyngeal cancers, including in people who have never smoked.
How It's Diagnosed
Examination, often with a scope, to view the tumour directly.
Biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.
Imaging and size assessment to confirm the tumour is accessible through the mouth.
How It's Treated
- No external neck or facial incision for suitable tumours.
- Avoids more invasive approaches such as jaw splitting, used historically for some throat tumours.
- Often a shorter hospital stay and faster return to normal swallowing and speech.
- The same oncological thoroughness as open approaches for suitable cases.
Most patients begin a modified diet within days and progress to normal eating over the following weeks, with speech and swallowing support available if needed. Recovery is generally faster than with more invasive open approaches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Select tumours of the oropharynx, including the tongue base and tonsil area, when their size and location allow access through the mouth.
Function is factored into surgical planning from the start, and most patients recover normal or near normal swallowing and speech.
TORS avoids external incisions entirely for suitable tumours, whereas conventional surgery may require a neck incision or, in some cases, jaw splitting.
This depends on the size, location and stage of your tumour, assessed through examination and imaging.
This depends on your specific pathology results after surgery, and is coordinated with your wider care team.
Book Your TORS Consultation in Pune
If your tumour is suitable, avoiding external incisions entirely may be possible. Dr Vidita Powle Danait offers expert transoral robotic surgery in Pune.