Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) is an advanced, minimally invasive technique used to treat certain tumors and conditions affecting the mouth, throat and head and neck area. By performing robotic surgery through the mouth, surgeons can access difficult-to-reach areas with greater control while avoiding more extensive open surgical approaches. This can help reduce pain after surgery, support faster healing and better preserve important functions like speaking and swallowing.
At Tampa General Hospital's Ear, Nose & Throat Institute, patients benefit from a team with extensive experience in robotic head, neck and throat surgery, including complex transoral procedures. In fact, TGH was one of the first hospitals in Florida to offer TORS using the da Vinci SP® single-port robotic system, an advanced technology that provides easier access to hard-to-reach areas of the throat. This allows surgeons to treat tumors and airway obstructions with greater precision while often reducing the need for larger incisions and more extensive surgery.
Conditions Treated with TORS
Transoral robotic surgery is used to treat a range of conditions affecting the mouth, throat and head and neck areas, including certain cancers, benign growths and obstructive sleep apnea.
HPV-Related Throat Cancers
TORS is frequently recommended for patients with HPV-positive throat cancers, particularly when small tumors are located on the back of the tongue or tonsils. These tumors are often well-suited for robotic surgery because surgeons can precisely remove cancerous tissue while helping patients maintain their ability to speak and swallow normally.
As a result, TORS is often used in:
- Throat cancer surgery
- Tonsil cancer surgery
- Tongue base cancer surgery
- Oropharyngeal cancer treatment
Benign Mouth Tumors & Cysts
TORS can also be used to remove certain noncancerous tumors and cysts located in the mouth or throat. The robotic system gives surgeons enhanced visibility and control in delicate areas, which can help reduce potential damage to nearby healthy tissue and limit the need for more extensive surgery.
TORS for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment
In some cases, excess tissue at the back of the tongue can block the airway during sleep and contribute to breathing interruptions. Using robotic-assisted obstructive sleep apnea surgery, surgeons can remove or reduce this tissue with greater control and visibility. For patients who have not responded well to other sleep apnea treatments, TORS can help improve airflow and reduce symptoms.
When TORS Is Recommended
Each patient being considered for transoral robotic surgery undergoes a detailed evaluation to determine whether robotic surgery is the right treatment approach. For patients wondering who qualifies for TORS surgery or when TORS is recommended, this process can include a physical exam, imaging tests such as CT scans or MRIs, endoscopy procedures to examine the throat and airway and, when needed, a biopsy.
Not every patient is a candidate for TORS. Specialists carefully evaluate several factors before recommending the procedure, including:
- The size and location of the tumor
- The extent of disease in the neck
- How much the patient can open their mouth
- Whether the tumor involves nearby critical structures
- The patient’s overall health
Some patients with larger or more advanced tumors may require other surgical or cancer treatments instead of TORS. Similarly, not all patients with obstructive sleep apnea are candidates for robotic surgery and treatment recommendations depend on the specific cause and severity of airway obstruction. At TGH’s Ear, Nose & Throat Institute, our specialists carefully evaluate each patient to determine whether TORS is the most appropriate treatment option.
How TORS Is Performed
During the transoral robotic surgery procedure, the patient is placed under general anesthesia while the surgeon controls robotic instruments and a high-definition camera from a nearby surgical console. The system provides a detailed view of the surgical area and allows for highly controlled movements within tight spaces of the mouth and throat.
Before minimally invasive techniques like TORS became available, reaching tumors deep within the throat often required more extensive open surgery. This could involve large external incisions or splitting the jawbone to access the surgical area. These procedures were typically associated with longer operating times, more pain and a more involved recovery process.
TORS offers a less invasive alternative for many patients by allowing surgeons to remove tumors through the mouth while minimizing disruption to surrounding healthy tissue. For many patients, this can mean less pain after surgery, a shorter hospital stay and a faster recovery.
Depending on the condition being treated, TORS can also be combined with additional procedures, including:
- Removal of lymph nodes in the neck (neck dissection)
- Tying off branches of the external carotid artery (ECA) to help reduce bleeding risk
- Reconstructive or supportive procedures when needed
The length of TORS surgery varies based on the complexity of the case and whether additional procedures are performed at the same time. For patients undergoing TORS to treat head and neck cancer, tissue removed during the procedure is sent to pathology for evaluation. Results are typically available within about one week and help guide the next phase of care. Once the pathology report is complete, a multispecialty team reviews the findings to determine whether additional treatment, such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy, is recommended.
Recovery After TORS Surgery
Recovery after transoral robotic surgery varies from patient to patient, but most people can expect to spend one to two days in the hospital after surgery. During this time, the care team closely monitors pain levels, swallowing ability and overall healing to ensure recovery is progressing as expected. For many patients, the hospital stay after robotic throat surgery is shorter than with more traditional open procedures.
Patients can also typically expect:
- Soreness and difficulty swallowing during the first few weeks after surgery
- Temporary diet changes to soft, easy-to-swallow foods
- Gradual improvement in swallowing as swelling and soreness decrease over time
- Possible temporary weight loss while eating and swallowing improve
- Gradual return to normal eating, speaking and daily activities over several weeks
- Continued support from speech and swallowing specialists when needed during recovery
Most patients can return to many of their normal routines within three to four weeks, although TORS recovery time can vary depending on the extent of surgery and whether additional treatments are needed afterward. The care team continues to monitor healing and provide guidance throughout recovery.
Benefits of Minimally Invasive Transoral Robotic Surgery
Transoral robotic surgery offers a less invasive alternative to traditional open surgery for certain conditions affecting the mouth and throat. By using robotic-assisted technology and advanced 3D visualization, surgeons can operate with greater accuracy in areas that are often difficult to reach with conventional techniques.
As a result, patients benefit from:
- Less visible scarring due to the absence of large external incisions
- Shorter hospital stays compared to many traditional open procedures
- Faster recovery and improved functional outcomes after treatment
- Lower risk of infection and certain surgical complications compared to traditional open procedures
- Improved swallowing function and fewer long-term swallowing-related side effects for some patients
- Possible reduced need for chemotherapy or radiation therapy after surgery
- Reduced overall treatment costs in some cases
Risks of Minimally Invasive Transoral Robotic Surgery
As with any surgical procedure, TORS also carries some risks. Although complications are generally less common than with standard open surgery, they can still occur. Potential risks of transoral robotic surgery include:
- Bleeding
- Breathing difficulties
- Swallowing problems during recovery
- Food or liquids entering the lungs (aspiration)
- Infection or other surgical complications
At TGH’s Ear, Nose & Throat Institute, patients are carefully evaluated before surgery, and the care team closely monitors recovery to help minimize risks and support the best possible outcome.
TORS Outcomes: Speech, Swallowing & Quality of Life
For many patients comparing TORS vs. traditional open throat surgery, preserving quality of life after treatment is an important consideration. Outcomes after transoral robotic surgery vary depending on the condition being treated:
- For patients with head and neck cancer, important outcomes often include maintaining speech and swallowing and returning to daily activities.
- For patients with obstructive sleep apnea, treatment success is typically measured by improvements in breathing, sleep quality and daytime symptoms.
In both cases, TORS is designed to minimize disruption to surrounding tissue while supporting recovery and quality of life.
Swallowing Outcomes After TORS
It is normal for swallowing to temporarily worsen immediately after surgery due to swelling and soreness in the throat. However, most patients gradually improve as healing progresses.
Patients may experience:
- Temporary discomfort or difficulty swallowing during the first few weeks
- Gradual return to more regular foods after a soft or liquid diet post-surgery
- Improved long-term swallowing function compared to some traditional treatment approaches
- Lower likelihood of long-term feeding tube dependence
Speech & Communication Outcomes After TORS
Speech changes after TORS are usually temporary and often related to swelling during the healing process. Some patients notice mild hoarseness, muffled speech or changes in vocal tone early in recovery, but these symptoms typically improve as swelling decreases.
Compared with traditional open throat surgery, minimally invasive TORS is designed to limit disruption to the muscles and structures involved in speech. As a result, most patients recover normal or near-normal speech over time.
Potential speech-related benefits of TORS include:
- Earlier return to everyday communication
- Preservation of natural voice quality for many patients
- Lower likelihood of long-term speech difficulties
- Reduced need for a permanent tracheostomy (breathing tube)
Sleep Apnea Outcomes After TORS
For patients undergoing TORS to treat obstructive sleep apnea, the procedure reduces airway obstruction and improves airflow during sleep. While outcomes depend on factors such as airway anatomy, the severity of sleep apnea and whether additional treatments are needed, many patients experience improvements in:
- Sleep quality
- Snoring
- Daytime fatigue
- Other symptoms associated with airway blockage
- Overall quality of life
Factors That Can Affect Recovery & Outcomes
Every patient's recovery is different, and several factors can influence long-term outcomes after TORS, including:
- The severity of airway obstruction in patients with obstructive sleep apnea
- The size and location of the tumor in patients undergoing TORS for head and neck cancer
- Whether additional treatments like radiation or chemotherapy are needed
- The amount of tissue that must be removed during surgery
- Whether the procedure is being performed as an initial treatment or after previous treatment
- Participation in speech and swallowing rehabilitation
Rehabilitation plays an important role in recovery. Speech-language pathologists often work with patients before and after surgery to strengthen swallowing function, improve communication and support healing. They can also help patients retrain swallowing muscles and gradually return to eating and drinking more comfortably as recovery progresses.
The TGH Difference: Nationally Recognized Ear, Nose & Throat Care
At Tampa General Hospital's Ear, Nose & Throat Institute, patients receive highly specialized care backed by one of the nation's leading academic health systems. This expertise has helped establish TGH as a national leader in the field, earning recognition as a top hospital in the nation for Ear, Nose & Throat care by U.S. News & World Report for 2025–26.
Within the Ear, Nose & Throat Institute, the Head & Neck Surgery Center of Excellence plays a key role in delivering this advanced level of care. Patients benefit from:
- Extensive experience treating complex head and neck conditions, with thousands of procedures performed each year
- Surgeons with specialized expertise in transoral robotic surgery and other advanced head and neck procedures
- Innovative robotic technology and minimally invasive treatment approaches designed to preserve speech, swallowing and quality of life
- Access to research, clinical trials and emerging therapies through TGH's partnership with USF Health
What sets TGH apart is not only the level of expertise available here, but the way care is coordinated around each patient. Multispecialty care teams can include specialists in head and neck surgery, oncology, radiology, pathology, reconstructive surgery, speech and swallowing therapy, nutrition, rehabilitation and more. Together, they work to create a treatment plan focused on the patient’s condition, goals and quality of life.
Become a Patient
If you have been diagnosed with a condition affecting the mouth, throat, head or neck, or with obstructive sleep apnea and want to learn whether transoral robotic surgery is right for you, the specialists at TGH’s Ear, Nose & Throat Institute are here to help. Our team has extensive experience treating conditions that can be addressed with TORS, including throat cancers, tongue base tumors, tonsil cancers, obstructive sleep apnea and other complex head and neck conditions.
We will work closely with you to evaluate your condition, explain your treatment options and create a plan tailored to your needs and goals. Throughout your care, our focus is on achieving the best possible outcome while helping preserve speech, swallowing and overall quality of life.
To schedule a consultation or learn more about whether you’re a candidate for TORS, contact TGH’s Ear, Nose & Throat Institute today at (855) 566-3627.