title: A novel procedure combining transoral resection and set-back tongue flap for oropharyngeal cancer.
abstract: Seven patients with advanced lateral oropharyngeal cancer (T3N2bM0, or T4N2bM0) underwent transoral lateral oropharyngectomy (TLO) with reconstruction performed through set-back tongue flap and polyglycolic acid (PGA) sheet. TLO was performed following en bloc resection of tumors using endoscopy. To cover the resulting defect in the lateral oropharyngeal wall, the set-back tongue flap was moved posteriorly and laterally to the area of the tongue base and lateral pharyngeal wall. The tip of the set-back tongue flap was sutured to the lateral pharynx to reconstruct the elevated tongue base and altered anterior pillar. The defect on the floor of the mouth was reconstructed using a PGA sheet. Following surgery, the mean observation period was 24 months. The mean operating time was 4 h and 2 min, with an average blood loss of 68.1 ml. All oral intake resumed on the first postoperative day via gastric tube. The mean gastric tube removal time was 1.6 postoperative days as a result of sufficient oral intake. None of the patients received postoperative radiotherapy or displayed evidence of tumor recurrence. We conclude that this novel procedure is highly effective for treating advanced oropharyngeal cancer as it demonstrates good prognostic and functional outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, National Hospital Organization Tochigi Medical Center , Utsunomiya.
authors.forename: Mizuno
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sakai
authors.forename: Junkichi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yokoyama
authors.forename: Masatugu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tashiro
authors.forename: Tooru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ishikawa
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D010611:Pharyngectomy / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Minimally invasive surgery; oropharyngeal carcinoma; polyglycolic acid sheet