Transoral robotic-assisted surgery (TORS) is a minimally-invasive technique utilizing robotic instrumentation for the removal and reconstruction of mouth, throat, upper airway tumors, and disorders. The University of Alabama-Birmingham was one of several key clinical sites where this important technique developed and constituted an important component of the residency training Dr. Kain received.

Dr. Kain has completed advanced-certification training through the Nicholson Center and Intuitive Surgical in transoral robotic surgery and specifically Single-Port (SP) robotics. Through his fellowship training at the University of California-Davis, he had the opportunity to be mentored in SP robotic surgery as one of the few sites in the country at that time performing this procedure on the latest iteration of the Intuitive robotic platform.

He brought this important technique to the Houston Methodist Hospital in 2021, and performed the first single-port robotic cases for otolaryngology at the institution. He served on a multi-disciplinary Houston Methodist MITIE robotic education committee with leaders from the fields of general, thoracic, vascular, gynecologic, and urologic surgery.

Dr. Kain has published on novel usages for this important surgical technology that seeks to expand the applications for patients.

Dr. Kain offers this minimally invasive, novel technique for patients with both benign and malignant tumors of the throat and upper airway at the Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, NC.