Source: www.healthcanal.com Author: staff Doctors at University of Rochester Medical Center are first in upstate New York to incorporate the precision and dexterity of a surgical robot to remove cancerous tumors in the mouth and throat. The first transoral robotic procedure – a partial glossectomy -- was performed Feb. 8 by surgeon Matthew Miller, M.D. This procedure expands the Medical Center’s robot-assisted surgery capabilities to include procedures for head and neck, urologic and gynecologic conditions. “Traditional approaches to these tumors have the potential to be invasive and disfiguring – oftentimes leading to an extensive recovery and rehabilitation period,” said Miller, a fellowship trained head and neck cancer surgeon. “The robot allows us to limit or even eliminate some of the side effects associated with more invasive surgeries while still effectively treating the cancer.” Strong Memorial Hospital’s daVinci Surgical Systems consist of robotic arms that replicate a surgeon’s motions in real time. The movements are by a surgeon using high-definition images provided by cameras positioned within the patient’s mouth. The surgeon is working from a console, across the room from the patient. Traditional surgery for some head and neck cancers requires large incisions – extending from the lip, across the chin and to the neck before entering the mouth or throat. Many times surgeons need to cut through the lower jaw and move aside vital cranial nerves to gain access to the back of the mouth and throat. Using the high-precision robotic system, surgeons insert the slender instruments into the mouth [...]