Transoral Robotic Surgery for Cancer of the Soft Palate Posterior Surface

Abstract

The surgical treatment of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has undergone a considerable evolution, with, among others, transoral robotic surgery (TORS). However, TORS is rarely used for the surgery of soft palate. A 73-year-old man presented a human papilloma virus OSCC of the posterior soft palate. The tumor was resected using TORS. This report describes the surgical technique step by step of the tumor resection. The resection of early stage OSCC of the posterior surface of soft palate is possible through TORS. The procedure is noninvasive, rapid, and seems to be associated with excellent functional outcomes.

In Reference to Transoral Robotic Surgery for Cancer of the Soft Palate Posterior Surface

“…7 The latter would be the most appropriate for lesions like the one described in the article. 1 The TOESPP technique requires a laryngopharyngeal retractor (eg, The Feyh-Kastembauer laryngo-pharyngoscope retractor; Olympus Medical System Corp), a nasogastric tube positioned through each nostril to retract and elevate the soft palate, a rigid 70° endoscope (eg, Karl-Storz Corporation) or, if available, the Olympus ENDOEYE 10 mm 3D or 5 mm 2D with deflectable tip up to 100° in all directions, and a few curved laparoscopic surgical instruments. And the most important to reach the posterior region of the palate with ease, a cutting instrument (eg, Colorado MicroDissection 45° angle Needle; Stryker) and a suction (eg, Valleylab suction coagulator cannula of 15.24 cm; Covidien) with the ability to deform.…”

“…M. Mayo-Y ánez, MD, MSc 1,2 I have reviewed the article: ''Transoral Robotic Surgery for Cancer of the Soft Palate Posterior Surface.'' 1 My sincere congratulations to the authors for implementing transoral robotic surgery (TORS) in this location; it is clear that this technique and technology is the future of head and neck surgery.…”

“…Mayo-Y ánez, MD, MSc 1,2 I have reviewed the article: ''Transoral Robotic Surgery for Cancer of the Soft Palate Posterior Surface.'' 1 My sincere congratulations to the authors for implementing transoral robotic surgery (TORS) in this location; it is clear that this technique and technology is the future of head and neck surgery. Despite this, the objective of this letter is to vindicate the role of non-robotic transoral surgery, the ''intermediate step'' that should be used in all centers where there is no access to TORS, avoiding the open surgery and its associated morbidities.…”