A total of 13 adenoidectomies using a nasal endoscopic-guided transoral adenoid curette (not yet a published standardised method) were performed to treat snoring. Nasal endoscopy allows easy assessment of the size of the adenoids and improves the accuracy of the adenoidectomy. This technique is particularly useful for paediatric patients who have small oral cavities. The assessment and excision...

BACKGROUND Transoral surgery is gaining attention as a minimally invasive treatment option for laryngeal and pharyngeal cancer. Postoperative swallowing function is satisfactory in most cases, but occasionally dysphagia persists. METHODS Swallowing function of 86 patients who underwent transoral videolaryngoscopic surgery (TOVS) for laryngeal and pharyngeal cancers was evaluated by the Functi...

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...

BACKGROUND Amidst a rising incidence of p16-positive (p16+) oropharyngeal cancer, a significant number of cases present as regionally metastatic disease with an "unknown" primary. Preliminary data support transoral surgery as an effective method of primary detection/treatment. METHODS An observational cohort study of 65 p16+ unknown primary patients treated with transoral surgery and neck dis...

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...

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 Preliminary case series have reported clinical feasibility and safety of a transoral minimally invasive technique to approach parapharyngeal space masses. With the assistance of the surgical robotic system, tumors within the parapharyngeal space can now be excised safely without neck incisions. A detailed technical description is included. METHODS After developing compressive sympt...

introduction: sialadenoma papilliferum (sp) is a rare benign tumor, which originates from the minor salivary gland. it occurs at sites that have minor salivary glands, such as the palate, retromolar pads, buccal mucosa, and lips. the most common location for tumor development is on the hard palate. a differential diagnosis consists of ruling out other salivary gland tumors. transoral robotic su...