As innovators in Head and Neck surgical options, the University of Michigan is one of a few places in the region to offer transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for head and neck cancers and sleep apnea. Approved by the FDA in January 2010, TORS is performed through the mouth and therefore requires no incisions.
Conditions considered for robotic surgery include:
- Base of tongue cancer
- Larynx (voice box) cancer
- Sleep apnea
- Throat cancer
- Tonsil cancer
TORS can help cancer patients lessen the traumatic aspects of traditional open surgery – which can cause disfigurement, difficulty eating, speaking, and swallowing. For the appropriately selected patient, using the assistance of a da Vinci robot, there is potentially:
- Less blood loss
- Less pain
- Less scarring
- Less risk of wound infection
- Shorter hospital stay
- Shorter recovery time
TORS may be an option for treatment of sleep apnea by reducing the tongue tissue. Eligibility for this type of surgery is made by our multi-disciplinary sleep apnea clinic which evaluates all aspects of the disease to determine the optimal treatment.
Make an Appointment
For an appointment, call 734-936-8051.