OBJECTIVES To present our early experience with the transoral approach to the superomedial parapharyngeal space (PPS) and describe our technique for removal of these neoplasms. STUDY DESIGN Consecutive case series by one author (Y.D.). METHODS Eight patients with various neoplasms of the superomedial PPS were retrospectively reviewed for type of neoplasm, size, success with the transoral ap...

Transoral approach to the cervico-medullary junction is a well-established procedure. However oropharyngeal complications in the form of soft tissue morbidity postoperatively do occur. We report a case of a teenage boy with traumatic quadriparesis secondary to compression of the cervico-medullary junction by an os odontoideum. Decompression was done via transoral approach through a tubular retr...

BACKGROUND Lymph node metastasis from differentiated thyroid carcinoma may occur outside of the basins at greatest risk of spread, such as the lateral retropharyngeal lymph nodes. The extensive surgery of traditional approaches to the retropharyngeal space are rarely justified in the treatment of metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer. Therefore, a less invasive surgical approach is advantage...

We report three patients having transoral fusion at C2/3 or C3/4 after fractures, with no infections or surgical complications and sound union. The operative technique and the relative merits of different approaches to the upper cervical spine are discussed and the transoral approach to the anterior aspect of the upper three cervical vertebrae is commended to the specialist surgeon.

Two patients presented with congenital basilar invagination manifesting as progressive myelopathy. Both patients underwent surgery using a neuronavigation-assisted transoral-transpharyngeal approach. The Brain-LAB Vector Vision navigation system was used for image guidance. The registration accuracies were 0.9 and 1.3 mm. After decompression, posterior stabilization was performed. Both patients...

Biopsy of the cervical spine poses special problems because of the proximity to many vital organs with the potential for bleeding and damage to nerves and spinal structures. Although the transoral approach to the atlanto-axial region is generally an open surgical procedure, for patients for whom diagnosis is required before treatment, a needle biopsy can be done. This report is of a patient for...

BACKGROUND Parapharyngeal space (PPS) tumors are rare tumors for which the surgical management differs widely. The purpose of this study was to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the endoscope-assisted transoral approach over the traditional approaches. METHODS This prospective study included 4 patients who were diagnosed with PPS tumors and treated with the endoscope-assisted transo...

BACKGROUND Nasopharyngeal surgery is commonly performed with a rigid endoscope using a transnasal or transoral approach. Here, we demonstrate a flexible single port computer-assisted endoscopic system enabling easy transoral access to the nasopharynx. METHODS Transoral nasopharyngeal surgery was performed in human cadavers (n = 8) using the Flex System (Medrobotics, Raynham, MA). Learning cur...