Lateral Pharyngotomy as an Approach to the Oropharyngeal Cancer

Kim, Min Sik; Sun, Dong Il; Cho, Jae Hong; Song, Seung Hun; Joo, Young Ha; Cho, Seung Ho

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The wide surgical resection combined with postoperative radiotherapy is commonly accepted as the most effective approach to the advanced stage of oropharyngeal cancers. As the lateral pharyngotomy provides a sufficient space to obtain enough surgical margin for surgical treatment of oropharyngeal cancers without disturbing the mandible, it can not only reduce the post-operative morbidity, but also obtain good functional results. To evaluate the efficiency and indication of lateral pharyngotomy as an approach to oropharyngeal cancers.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The medical records of 10 patients who had been treated by lateral pharyngotomy approach between 1994 and 1998 were reviewed retrospectively.
RESULTS
The sites of primary tumor were the tonsil in 6 patients, the tongue involving the base and the tonsil fossa in 2 patients and the base of the tongue in 2 patients. Seven cases were T2 stage cancers and 3 cases were T3. No recurrences have risen on primary sites to date. Postoperative radiotherapy was performed within 29 to 43 days. Oral diet was possible within 16 to 29 days.
Conclusions
As lateral pharyngotomy can avoid disturbing the mandible, thereby facilitating early postoperative radiotherapy, it is an excellent approach to the T2 or T3 oropharyngeal cancers with low postoperative morbidity and good functional results, especially when the open size of the mouth is proper.