Mayo Clinic Finds Robotic Surgery Effective For Removing Hard-to-Reach Throat Cancer

Surgeons from Mayo Clinic have found that robotic surgery is useful for removing tumors in difficult to reach areas in the larynx. This treatment was used on nine patients who had advanced-stage, cancerous tumors in the larynx above the vocal chords. All of the surgeries were successful and the patients quickly recovered their ability to normally eat, swallow, and speak. With this surgery (transoral robotic surgery (TORS)) the device consists of a camera, a robotic arm with a laser, and a robotic arm with a gripping tool. The surgeon sits at a console and watches the surgical field on a screen. The camera is able to more easily maneuver and fit into tight spaces than previous methods.

I found this article interesting because I find surgeries that consist of a surgeon remotely controlling a robot inside the patient fascinating. If this technique expands into other surgical treatments, surgeons could theoretically operate on a patient on the other side of the world by sitting at a remote console.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/223791.php