Oral cavity cancer treatment with trans-oral robotic surgery

Transoral Robotic Surgery (TORS) with the DaVinci surgical system is the least invasive way to treat oral cavity cancer. Sometimes, patients undergoing surgery do not need radiation and chemotherapy. Instead, thin machine tips replace the surgeon's hands, remove tumors without visible cuts in the lip or lower jaw, and preserve the ability to speak and eat. Before starting the procedure, the patient is given anesthesia while lying on his back. Next, the retractor opens the patient's mouth, and the robotic tools and the camera are directed into it. First, an endoscope consisting of a flexible tube with a miniature lamp and a camera helps to obtain detailed 3D images of the back of the mouth and throat and work with delicate structures. Then, by remote controlling the four flexible robot arms, the surgeon examines masses in the mouth, which are difficult to access during standard surgery. Under the surgeon's control, the robotic instruments move deep into the patient's mouth and remove cancer. Then, tissue resection and suturing are performed using the advantages of a surgical robot. The recovery time depends on the operation volume but usually is at most a few days.