Transoral laser microsurgery

Transoral laser microsurgery is another form of minimally invasive surgery used by several medical centers, including the Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine and Mayo Clinic to remove small and medium tumors through the mouth. It's occasionally used for larger tumors. Transoral laser microsurgery allows surgeons to remove tumors from the voice box with no external incisions. It also allows access to tumors that are not reachable with robotic surgery.

A microscope helps the surgeon clearly view the margins of the tumor, minimizing the amount of normal tissue removed or damaged during surgery. This technique helps give the patient as much speech and swallowing function as possible after surgery.[1][2][3]