Transoral resection of locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the lateral oropharynx: combination of CO2 laser microsurgery with flap reconstruction

• Published in: HNO 2006-08, Vol.54 (8), p.605-610
• Main Authors: Jäckel, M C, Reck, R
• Format: Article
• Language: ger
• Subjects: Carbon Dioxide; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - surgery; Combined Modality Therapy; Female; Humans; Laser Therapy - methods; Male; Microsurgery - methods; Middle Aged; Mouth - surgery; Oropharyngeal Neoplasms - surgery; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures - instrumentation; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures - methods; Surgical Flaps; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0017-6192
• DOI: 10.1007/s00106-005-1374-3

Transoral laser microsurgery of locally advanced carcinomas of the lateral pharynx often results in exposure of major vessels of the neck and is accompanied by a substantial risk of intra- and postoperative bleeding. We therefore only perform these operations after external protection of neck vessels, if necessary combined with flap reconstruction. Between October 2001 and December 2004, 11 locally advanced squamous cell carcinomas of the lateral oropharynx that reached the major vessels of the neck were treated as follows: after ipsilateral neck dissection with temporary protection of the jugular vein and carotid arteries, the neck remained open while transoral laser surgery of the primary tumor was performed. Pharyngeal defects were subsequently closed by either primary suture or a platysma myofascial flap. All patients underwent adjuvant radiotherapy. All primary tumors were completely resected. None of the patients required tracheotomy or placement of a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube. The mean duration of nasogastric feeding tubes was 12.7 days. In one case, the routine radiological contrast study revealed a blind cervical fistula 10 days after surgery. This healed spontaneously within 7 days. One mild postoperative hemorrhage had to be stopped by endoscopic coagulation under general anesthesia. During a mean follow-up of 19.4 months, none of the patients developed a local and/or regional recurrence. The surgical procedure described ensures sufficient protection of neck vessels during and after the transoral resection of advanced carcinomas of the pharynx. It successfully combines the advantages of minimally invasive laser microsurgery with those of flap reconstruction known from traditional surgery.