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For Patients Make an Appointment Encyclopedia Articles about Ear, Nose and Throat

Advancing the Field of Robotic Surgery to the Next Level

The Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at Penn Medicine has received IRB approval for a new procedure called TORS that is changing the face of head and neck surgery.

TransOral Robotic Surgery (TORS) is now being investigated in an IRB-approved research protocol as a new treatment for patients with sleep apnea who have enlargement of the lingual tonsils and/or tongue base that contributes to the airway obstruction

This new, exciting approach to sleep apnea involves an area that was not previously accessible with minimally invasive techniques. This novel surgery is the first of its kind in the world and was developed by Dr. Bert O’Malley and Dr. Gregory Weinstein, who pioneered TransOral Robotic Surgery (TORS) originally for tumors of the head and neck. Drs. O’Malley and Weinstein developed the techniques for this sleep apnea concept early in the investigation of TORS and Erica Thaler, MD is now pioneering this novel approach and the clinical research being conducted at Penn.

Find out more information about: How to Beat Sleep Apnea? Cut It Out (Surgically) (NPR) TransOral Robotic Surgery (TORS) for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (Clinical Briefings™) TORS for Sleep Apnea (ReachMD Physician Interview)

The data from the procedures thus far is compelling. Of the more than 40 people already enrolled in the study to date, approximately 60 percent have experienced a dramatic improvement in their obstructive sleep apnea.

Patients Should Fit the Following Criteria

• Patient has medically-significant sleep apnea.
• Patient has been unsuccessful with other modalities of treatment for sleep apnea, including CPAP.
• Requirements Prior to Undergoing Surgery
• Recent sleep study.
• MRI of neck.
• Sleep endoscopy procedure to assess airway patency.

* It is not a requirement that the patient has already undergone standard sleep surgery.

* The patient will undergo robotic surgery and receive a follow-up sleep study three months later.

Call 215-662-4533 or 800-789-PENN for more information or to learn how to enroll in this important study.

 

	Need an appointment? Request one online 24 hours/day, 7 days/week or call 800-789-PENN (7366) to speak to a referral counselor.