Transoral Robotic Surgery, or TORS, has changed the way many throat cancers are treated. Instead of large open surgery, the cancer is removed through the mouth using the da Vinci robot, with no external scar. For the right patient, this means less pain, better swallowing and speech, and a faster recovery. At THANC Hospital in Chennai, Dr. Vidhyadharan Sivakumar is a fellowship-trained robotic surgeon who performed India's first TORS-assisted total laryngectomy. This page is part of our wider robotic surgery care.
What Is TORS?
TORS uses the da Vinci surgical robot to reach and remove throat cancers through the mouth. The surgeon sits at a console and controls small, wristed instruments while viewing the area in magnified, three-dimensional detail. The robot does not act on its own. Every movement is made by the surgeon, with the robot providing steady, precise control in a tight space that is hard to reach with the hands alone.
It is well suited to cancers of the tonsil and the base of the tongue, and to selected voice box and throat cancers. You can read how it works in our guide on robotic surgery (TORS) explained.
Benefits of TORS
Compared with open surgery, TORS offers:
- No external scar, because the cancer is removed through the mouth
- Better swallowing and speech, by avoiding large open surgery
- Less pain and blood loss
- A shorter hospital stay and faster recovery
- A magnified, precise view that helps remove the cancer completely
Our guide compares the approaches in TORS versus traditional surgery.
Which Cancers Can Be Treated
TORS is suited to:
- Oropharyngeal cancers, of the tonsil and the base of the tongue. See our oropharyngeal cancer page.
- Selected voice box (laryngeal) cancers. See our laryngeal cancer page.
- Some other throat cancers, depending on size and position.
Whether TORS is right depends on the size and position of the cancer and whether the robot can reach it safely through the mouth. Dr. Vidhyadharan assesses this for each patient with a scope examination and scans before recommending TORS.
Who Is Suitable for TORS
TORS works best for early and selected advanced throat cancers that can be reached and removed cleanly through the mouth. Good candidates usually have a tumour that is well-defined and not wrapped around major blood vessels. Patients who can open the mouth well and have favourable anatomy are more likely to be suitable.
TORS may not be the right choice for very large or deeply invasive cancers, or where the tumour cannot be exposed safely through the mouth. In those cases, radiotherapy, chemoradiation or open surgery may be advised instead. Dr. Vidhyadharan explains honestly whether TORS is the best option for you, rather than fitting every cancer to the robot.
How It Is Done
The procedure is done under general anaesthetic. Dr. Vidhyadharan positions the da Vinci robot at the head of the table and passes the camera and instruments through the mouth. Sitting at the console, he views the throat in magnified, three-dimensional detail and removes the cancer with a clear margin of healthy tissue around it. The robotic instruments bend and rotate like a human wrist, which allows precise work in a small, deep space that is hard to reach with the hands.
If the neck lymph nodes need treatment, a neck dissection is planned as part of the overall care, often at the same sitting or shortly after. Because there is no large open wound in the throat or jaw, recovery is usually quicker than with open surgery.
TORS Compared With Other Treatments
| Approach | Best for | Scar | Recovery |
|---|---|---|---|
| TORS (robotic) | Early and selected throat cancers reachable through the mouth | None on the neck or jaw | Faster, shorter stay |
| Open surgery | Large or deeply invasive cancers | Neck and sometimes jaw incision | Longer recovery |
| Radiotherapy or chemoradiation | Some cancers, or when surgery is not suitable | None | Several weeks of treatment |
Our guide compares the surgical options in more detail in TORS versus traditional surgery.
What to Expect
Before surgery. A scope examination, a biopsy and scans confirm the diagnosis and that TORS is suitable. Dr. Vidhyadharan explains the plan, the likely recovery and any neck treatment needed.
Surgery. Robotic removal of the cancer through the mouth, with neck treatment as needed, under general anaesthetic.
After surgery. A hospital stay of a few days. Swallowing usually returns over the first days to weeks, supported by speech and swallowing therapy. The final tissue result guides whether any radiotherapy is needed.
Recovery and Rehabilitation
Recovery after TORS is generally faster than after open surgery because there is no large external wound. Swallowing can be sore at first and improves with time and therapy. The speech and swallowing team supports you during the stay and after discharge, so most patients return to a normal or near-normal diet. Follow-up checks the throat and neck regularly so any change is found early.
Outcomes
For the right patient, TORS removes the cancer completely while protecting swallowing and speech, with a faster recovery than open surgery. Outcomes depend mostly on the type and stage of the cancer. HPV-related throat cancers in particular tend to respond very well. This is why early assessment of a persistent sore throat or neck lump gives the best chance of a function-sparing treatment like TORS.
Why Choose Dr. Vidhyadharan at THANC Hospital
- India's first TORS-assisted total laryngectomy (2022), a landmark in robotic head and neck surgery.
- FICRS certification in robotic surgery, with fellowship training at Royal Adelaide Hospital, Australia.
- MCh (Head & Neck Surgery) and European Board certification (FEB-ORL HNS).
- 3000+ head and neck operations, the volume linked to better outcomes.
- The da Vinci Xi robot and a full oncology team at THANC Hospital.
Treatment Cost and Insurance
The cost reflects the robotic system, the stage of the cancer, and the length of stay, though shorter stays and faster recovery often offset the difference. Most major health insurers in India cover cancer treatment, including cashless treatment at empanelled hospitals. Eligible patients may also use government schemes such as Ayushman Bharat (AB-PMJAY) or the Tamil Nadu CMCHIS.
THANC Hospital gives a clear, itemised estimate during your consultation. To see Dr. Vidhyadharan Sivakumar, request an appointment online.
