TORS Surgery in Bangalore | Transoral Robotic Surgery | Dr. Narayana Subramaniam
Pioneer of TORS in India
Transoral Robotic Surgery

TORS Surgery in Bangalore

Removing throat and tongue base cancers through the mouth — no external incision, faster recovery, and preserved swallowing function.

Request ConsultationCall: +91 9150000542
No
External Incision
2–3 days
Hospital Stay
Pioneer
TORS in India
130+
Publications

What is TORS?

Transoral Robotic Surgery Explained

TORS uses a surgical robot inserted through the mouth to remove cancers of the throat, tongue base, tonsil, and supraglottis — without any cuts on the neck or face.

The robotic arms provide 3D magnified vision and wristed instruments that allow precise dissection in the confined space of the throat — impossible with standard open surgery or conventional endoscopy.

  • No external incision on face or neck
  • Significantly less pain and blood loss
  • Faster return to swallowing and speech
  • Shorter hospital stay (2–3 days vs 7–10 days open)
  • Reduced need for feeding tubes
  • Avoids or reduces radiation dose in HPV cancers
No cut
On neck or face
2–3 days
Hospital stay
Faster
Swallowing recovery
Less
Radiation needed

Conditions Treated

When is TORS Used?

Tongue Base Cancer

HPV-related and non-HPV oropharyngeal cancers involving the base of tongue — previously requiring major open surgery.

Tonsillar Cancer

Lateral oropharyngeal tumours involving the tonsil and tonsillar fossa, often HPV-positive with excellent prognosis after TORS.

Supraglottic Cancer

Early laryngeal cancers above the vocal cords treated transorally, preserving voice and swallowing without laryngectomy.

Your Journey

Treatment Process

1

Staging & HPV Testing

Panendoscopy, MRI/CT/PET-CT for staging. HPV status determines prognosis and guides radiation dose planning.

2

Tumour Board Planning

TORS vs open surgery vs primary radiation discussed. Patient preference, tumour location, and stage guide decision.

3

TORS Procedure (1–2 hrs)

Robot inserted through mouth. Tumour removed with clear margins under 3D magnification. Neck dissection done simultaneously if needed.

4

Recovery (2–3 days)

Liquid diet initially, progressing to soft foods. Most patients avoid nasogastric tube entirely.

5

Adjuvant Treatment

Radiation +/- chemotherapy as indicated by pathology. HPV-positive patients may qualify for radiation de-escalation protocols.

Why Choose Dr. Narayana

Early Adopter of TORS in India

Dr. Narayana Subramaniam, MS, MCh

Lead Consultant — Head & Neck Surgical Oncology & Skull Base Surgery, Bangalore

  • Published data on TORS
  • International training at leading TORS centres
  • Invited to teach TORS at national and international meetings
  • Comprehensive oropharyngeal cancer programme

When to Refer for TORS

  • T1–T2 oropharyngeal cancer (tonsil/tongue base)
  • HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer
  • Supraglottic cancer suitable for organ preservation
  • Patient wanting to avoid open neck surgery
  • Second opinion on treatment approach

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions

Is TORS available for all throat cancers?
TORS is best suited for early to intermediate stage oropharyngeal cancers (T1–T2). Advanced tumours with deep invasion may require open surgery. Dr. Narayana will assess your suitability at consultation.
Will I still need radiation after TORS?
It depends on pathology. Some patients — particularly HPV-positive with clear margins and no adverse features — may qualify for reduced radiation or observation alone. This is discussed case by case.
How quickly can I eat and speak after TORS?
Most patients swallow liquids within 24 hours and progress to soft diet by discharge. Speech is largely unaffected since vocal cords are not involved in oropharyngeal TORS.
Is robotic surgery more expensive?
Robotic surgery has a higher upfront cost due to equipment. However, shorter hospital stays, fewer complications, and faster recovery often make the overall cost comparable or less. Please contact our coordinator for an estimate.

Book a Consultation

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