Using robotic surgery to treat tumors in the head and neck

A Pilot Study Assessing Transoral Robotic Surgery (TORS) for Oral and Laryngopharyngeal Benign and Malignant Lesions Using the Da Vinci Robotic Surgical System

Not applicable Interventional Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center · NCT01473784

This study is testing if using robotic surgery to remove tumors in the mouth and throat can help patients recover faster and feel better afterwards.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment600 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorOhio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center Academic / other
Locations1 site (Columbus, Ohio)
Trial IDNCT01473784 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This pilot clinical trial evaluates the effectiveness of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for patients with benign or malignant tumors in the oral cavity and laryngopharynx. The study utilizes the Da Vinci Robotic Surgical System to perform less invasive surgical procedures, which may lead to fewer side effects and improved recovery times. Participants will undergo surgery and have their quality of life assessed post-procedure to determine the impact of TORS on their health outcomes.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include patients with benign or malignant tumors of the oral cavity or laryngopharynx who can safely undergo transoral robotic surgery.

Not a fit: Patients with active infections, pregnancy, or previous surgeries that prevent transoral approaches may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to improved surgical outcomes and quality of life for patients with head and neck tumors.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with robotic surgery in similar contexts, indicating potential for success in this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patient must present with indications for diagnostic or therapeutic approaches for benign and/or malignant diseases of the oral cavity or laryngopharynx (including the neoplastic lesions of the tongue, tongue base, retromolar trigone, tonsils, palate, posterior and lateral pharynx, glottic, supraglottic and subglottic larynx)
* Patients must have adequate transoral exposure of the oral cavity and laryngopharynx for TORS instrumentation
* Written informed consent and/or Consent waiver by institutional review board (IRB)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Unexplained fever and/or untreated, active infection
* Patient pregnancy
* Previous head and neck surgery that would preclude transoral/robotic procedures. This is at the investigator's discretion. This is not an exclusion criterion for the non-surgical arm.
* The presence of medical conditions contraindicating general anesthesia or transoral surgical approaches
* Inability to grant informed consent
* INTRAOPERATIVE EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
* Inability to adequately visualize anatomy to perform the diagnostic or therapeutic surgical approach transorally

Where this trial is running

Columbus, Ohio

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Recurrent Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the Oral CavityRecurrent Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma of the Oral CavityRecurrent Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the HypopharynxRecurrent Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the LarynxRecurrent Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Lip and Oral CavityRecurrent Verrucous Carcinoma of the LarynxRecurrent Verrucous Carcinoma of the Oral CavityStage 0 Hypopharyngeal Cancer
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.