2014 | KK Women's and Children's Hospital

KKH successfully performs the first paediatric Transoral Robotic Surgery (TORS) for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in Singapore

Paediatric Sleep Apnea is a type of sleep disorder, characterised by difficulty in breathing during sleep. A paediatric patient that had previously undergone an adenotonsillectomy to treat OSA, experienced returning symptoms. Further assessment revealed an obstruction at the tongue base – an area which has difficult access and a high risk of bleeding, posing a challenge for surgical intervention.

By combining the dexterity of a robot with the skills of the surgeon and modifying the types of instrumentation to be used with the robotic arm, the KKH team successfully carried out TORS of the tongue base to treat the child's OSA. The patient consequently experienced complete resolution of symptoms and normalisation of sleep study results.

The robotic surgery was performed using the da Vinci surgical robotic system, which features high-definition three-dimensional imaging and articulated arms, allowing for precise surgical manipulation within the narrow confines of the child's mouth. The visualisation of the tissue planes and access to the surgical site that this approach allows the surgeon to perform a more complete assessment and precise resection of tissue in a very limited space. This translates to minimised blood loss and better post-operative outcomes.