Head and Neck Surgery

Minimally Invasive Surgery for Head and Neck Tumors

The Center for Head and Neck Surgery is one of the few in the nation to offer patients the benefits of minimally invasive surgery for head and neck tumors. Many head and neck tumors or cancers of the throat and oral cavity can be removed using minimally invasive techniques that do not require any incisions in the face or neck. Studies have shown that patients who receive minimally invasive surgery recover faster, have less pain and return to function more quickly than patients who receive conventional surgery.

Robotic equipment and lasers provide access to areas that were traditionally not within reach with a minimally invasive technique. In contrast to robotic surgery in other areas of the body, transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for oral and throat cancers does not even require incisions for access as the surgery is done entirely through the mouth. Assessment of whether minimally invasive surgery is possible requires a thorough evaluation by a surgeon who is an expert in these techniques.

The Center also offers evaluation and treatment for salivary submandibular and parotid gland stones including minimally invasive procedures with transoral stone extraction, using the sialendoscopy technique.