Head & Neck Robotic Surgery

Transoral Robotic Surgery - TORS

The delicate structures of the head and neck mean that any type of surgery in that area requires precision and expertise, performed by an experienced surgeon.

At UCLA, our Robotic Head & Neck Surgery Program was created shortly following recent FDA approval of robotic surgery for the head and neck. Since this time, our robotic head and neck surgeons have performed more than 120 head and neck robotic surgeries over the past three years alone, more than any other medical center in Southern California. Meet our head and neck robotic surgeons

• TORS Surgery Patient Stories: Michael's Story - Tongue Cancer | Paul's Story - Throat Cancer

Older approaches for head and neck surgery required the use of a tracheostomy, ICU stay, and sometimes having to break the jawbone. There were also cosmetic and facial nerve concerns including facial scars, drooping lip and other complications. In the last 10 years, great advances have been made in head and neck surgery using the robot for the treatment of both benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) conditions. These include:

Malignant (cancerous) conditions:

• Tonsil cancer
• Base of tongue cancer
• Laryngeal cancer
• Hypopharyngeal cancer
• Recurrent nasopharyngeal cancer

Benign (non-cancerous) conditions:

• Sleep apnea (also known as Obstructive Sleep Apnea, or OSA)
• Chronic Lingual Tonsillitis
• Parapharyngeal space mass (tumor)
• Laryngeal cleft

Learn more about robotic surgery

Why Choose UCLA for Robotic Head and Neck Surgery

Our program is unique due to fellowship trained robotic surgeons, continued high volume center, and multidisciplinary care of the head and neck patient. The advantages of using the robot for these types of surgeries are that we can now greatly minimize scarring and disfigurement, particularly in cases of cancer. Your robotic surgeon will work within a larger head and neck oncology team to provide a personalized treatment plan that is appropriate for you.  Lymph node dissection is a part of the surgical process for head and neck cancers; however, sometimes lymph node staging is done separately for head and neck cancers.

Is da Vinci surgery right for me?

Head and neck conditions require experienced surgeons and doctors to help you weigh risks and benefits. Only an experienced UCLA head and neck robotic surgeon can help you determine if robotic surgery is right for you.

Contact Us

800-UCLA-MD1 (or 310-825-2631)