Robotic Surgery for Cancer

 Being diagnosed with cancer is devastating for anyone. The physicians of SCENT are always looking for better treatments. Cancers involving the base of tongue (back of tongue), tonsil area and hypopharynx/ larynx (lower portion of the throat) are generally difficult to treat. A major reason is that these areas of the body are hard to reach and traditional surgical approaches are too deforming. Recently, robotic surgery has significantly improved our approach to treat throat cancers.
The advantage of the robot is that it allows the surgeon to reach areas that ordinarily are hard to reach. It consists of a magnified 3-D high-definition vision system and tiny wristed instruments that bend and rotate far greater than the human hand. As a result, the robot enables the surgeon to operate with enhanced vision, precision and control. The robot is fully controlled by two surgeons: one navigating the robot fingers and wrists using a very advanced computer system and the other assisting the robotic hands. Performing the surgery this way allows many benefits including a much better visualization of the area which enables removing the tumor from the normal tissue safely. A more complete resection of the tumor is possible because the robot allows access to areas you can’t typically reach. Lastly, there is less deformity postoperatively because you can reach areas that otherwise need to be accessed through a wide, open incision.
Dr. Satish Vadapalli and I are the only physicians in Santa Clarita/Antelope Valley area that are robotic surgery trained to perform these procedures. We do not wish for anyone to have throat cancer; but if you do, we are here to help with the latest techniques available.
At SCENT, we treat the ear, nose, throat, speech, audiology, aesthetic & facial plastic surgery needs for adults and children. Please contact us at: 661-259-2500; 27879 Smyth Drive, Valencia; www.ScentMed.com; AbeautifulLook.com.