Transoral lateral oropharyngectomy

Ten-Year Efficacy of Transoral Surgery for Squamous Carcinoma of the Lateral Oropharynx

OBJECTIVES

To document the 10-year results of transoral mandibular preservation surgery for patients with T1-2 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) arising from the lateral oropharynx.

METHODS

This was a retrospective 30-year review using STROBE guidelines at an academic, tertiary referral center. A total of 294 patients with T1-2 SCC of the lateral oropharynx were reviewed. Only 19% of patients were never-smokers, suggesting a predominantly HPV-negative population. All patients had transoral mandibular preservation surgery. Follow-up therapy included neck dissection (76.5%), induction chemotherapy (57.8%), and postoperative radiation therapy (31.6%) Local control, survival, and functional endpoints, as well as the consequences of local recurrence, were analyzed.

RESULTS

The 10-year local disease control was 88.3%. Local recurrence was salvaged in 50% of cases, resulting in an overall 94.5% local control rate. The overall 10-year survival was 50%. Mortality was related to metachronous second primary cancer (MSPC) (29.2%), medical comorbidities (25.7%), uncontrolled local recurrence (10%), and complications following transoral resection (4.2%). In multivariate analysis, the development of an MSPC significantly increased (p < 0.005) the risk of death. Overall, 95.2% of patients achieved mandibular preservation. However, gastrostomy and tracheostomy dependence occurred in 1% and 0.3% of cases, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

For a patient population with a significant percentage of tobacco-associated oropharyngeal cancer (OPC), transoral surgery was associated with long-term minimal postoperative complications and a high rate of local control. MSPC was the main cause of death during the first 10 postoperative years. Such long-term figures support transoral surgery as an effective first-line treatment for early-stage predominantly tobacco-related OPC.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4 Laryngoscope, 134:4564-4572, 2024.

Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) in Japan: procedures, advantages and current status

Transoral robotic surgery (TORS), introduced by Weinstein et al. in 2005, has been widely adopted as a minimally invasive procedure, particularly for the treatment of patients with early stage oropharyngeal cancer. TORS is typically performed using the da Vinci Surgical System, similar to robot-assisted surgeries for other malignancies. The main difference between TORS and these other robot-assisted surgeries is that it is performed through the natural orifice of the mouth, which limits the surgical working space, and that it progresses from the lumen of the pharynx to the deeper tissues. The advantages of TORS are mainly due to the benefits of using the da Vinci Surgical System, such as three-dimensional high-definition images, magnification, multiple forceps articulation, tremor-stabilization function and motion scale function. To date, many big data and meta-analyses have shown that TORS is superior to conventional surgeries, such as open surgery, in terms of oncological outcomes, post-operative functionality and quality of life. In Japan, TORS is expected to spread across the country, as it has been covered by health insurance since April 2022. This review highlights the procedures of TORS, its unique aspects, its unparalleled advantages as a minimally invasive surgery for treating laryngeal and pharyngeal cancers, and its current status in Japan.

Immune-related gene expression profile at peri-tumoral tonsillar tissue is modified by oropharyngeal cancer nodal status

Secondary lymphoid organs (SLOs), such as lymph nodes and tonsils, serve as an interface between the immune system and tumor cells as an initial antigen presentation site, critical in anti-tumor immune response and disease progression. For oropharyngeal cancers (OPCs) originating from palatine tonsils, we hypothesized that characterizing the immunological process occurring at the peri-tumoral tonsillar tissue will elucidate immune mechanisms for the lymphatic spread of the disease. A total of 33 patients were enrolled and subdivided into two cohorts. For cohort 1 (6 cases), gene expression profiles at the peri-tumoral lymphoid regions and tumor regions were analyzed using the GeoMx whole transcriptome atlas. In the peri-tumoral lymphoid regions, 237 genes were upregulated in metastasis-negative cases compared with metastasis-positive ones, but only one gene in tumor regions. For cohort 2 (27 cases), microarray analysis of peri-tumoral tonsillar tissues revealed 192 upregulated genes. Gene Ontology (GO) analyses revealed the significantly enriched GO terms associated with T cell activation and detected 10 hub genes according to the degree rank (PTPRC, TLR4, CD80, CD40, STAT3, CD28, CD40LG, CD44, CCR7, and IL7R). Gene set enrichment analysis combined with principal component analysis effectively sorted patients with or without lymph node metastases. These findings suggest peri-tumoral tonsils as a potential target to investigate the immune mechanisms associated with the lymphatic spread of the disease in OPCs.

Buccal fat pad to improve velum competency after transoral lateral oropharyngectomy

This technical note documents an easily reproducible technique to improve velar competency after transoral lateral oropharyngectomy extending to the velum.

Advances in anatomical visualization on the head and neck through robotic surgery: A Brazilian perspective

Trans Oral Robotic Surgery (TORS) is an emerging technique that provides several benefits over existing treatment regimens for head and neck cancer, including smaller incisions, less bleeding, shorter term inpatient hospitalization, and reduced intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay. TORS allows a high resolution, magnified, three-dimensional wide view of the surgical field through an endoscope, avoiding large external cervical incisions and split-lip mandibulotomy, usually required in cancer surgeries of the oropharynx. The anatomy of the Oropharynx viewed from the perspective of the robotic surgeon is different from the anatomy taught in medical schools and residence/fellowship programs, which is more directly related to emergency procedures, open field surgery, and imaging exams. Developing an understanding of the anatomic relationships and landmarks from the "inside out" perspective is critical for any surgeon willing to perform surgical procedures through a transoral robotic approach. Here we address the major anatomic landmarks and structures in head and neck robotic surgeries and advantages and disadvantages of this approach. We emphasize the importance of imaging for successful outcomes, pointing out important anatomic landmarks considered as blind spots for surgeons in clinical and endoscopic evaluations. We also describe the Brazilian current scenario and future perspectives of Robotic Surgery in terms of training and access to this technique, including institutions that currently offer this service in the different regions of Brazil.

Preclinical experience with a novel single-port platform for transoral surgery

BACKGROUND

We investigated a novel minimally invasive surgical platform for use in the oropharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx for single-port transoral surgery used in concert with standard transoral laryngeal and pharyngeal instrumentation.

METHODS

The preclinical investigational device by Fortimedix Surgical B.V. (Netherlands) features two channels for manually controlled flexible articulating surgical instruments. A third central channel accepts both rigid and flexible endoscopes. The system is coupled to a standard laryngoscope for transoral access. In three cadaver models, we evaluated the surgical capabilities using wristed grasping instruments, microlaryngeal scissors, monopolar cautery, and a laser fiber sheath. Procedures were performed within the oropharynx, supraglottis, glottis, subglottis, and hypopharynx.

RESULTS

Within the oropharynx, we found adequate strength, range of motion, and dexterity to perform lateral oropharyngectomy and tongue base resection. Within the larynx, visualization was achieved with a variety of instruments including a flexible, 0° and 30° rigid endoscope. The glottis, supraglottis, pyriform sinuses, post-cricoid space, and esophageal inlet were readily accessible. Visualization and manipulation of grasping, laser, and monopolar cautery instruments were also possible within the subglottis. Instrument reach and accuracy facilitated completion of a delicate micro-flap on the true vocal fold. Other procedures included vocal fold resection, cricopharyngeal myotomy, and resection of subglottic mucosa.

CONCLUSIONS

From this initial proof of concept experience with this novel platform, we found a wide range of procedures within the oropharynx, larynx, and hypopharynx to be feasible. Further work is needed to evaluate its applicability to the clinical setting. The ability of this platform to be used with conventional instrumentation may provide an opportunity for complex transoral surgery to be performed in a facile manner at greatly reduced cost.

Selection of the surgical approach for lesions with parapharyngeal space involvement: A single-center experience on 153 cases

BACKGROUND

The parapharyngeal space (PPS) can harbor a variety of tumors that can be approached through a wide spectrum of surgical routes. A decisional algorithm on the surgical approach to resect PPS lesions was tested in terms of reliability by retrospectively applying it to a large series of patients.

METHODS

Patients treated at the Unit of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery of the University of Brescia, Italy, for tumor or tumor-like lesions involving the PPS between October 1986 and July 2019 were included in the retrospective analysis. Tumor characteristics, clinical presentation, diagnostic work-up, type of resection, surgical approach, and oncologic and morbidity outcomes were reviewed. Reliability of the algorithm was calculated as the number of cases in which the expected approach was confirmed/total number of cases × 100.

RESULTS

The analysis included 153 patients. Most lesions (64.1%) were benign. The most frequent complaint at presentation was unilateral oropharyngeal medialization (47.1%), followed by neck/parotid swelling (41.2%). Ninety-two (61.3%) lesions were excised through an enucleation/extracapsular dissection. Wide-margin resection and compartmental resection were performed in 17 (11.3%) and 41 (27.3%) patients, respectively. A single-corridor approach was employed in 132 (87.4%) cases. Combinations of multiple corridors were adopted in 19 (12.6%) patients. Reliability of the decision-making algorithm was 91.2%. Capsular integrity and margin status affected prognosis of pleomorphic adenomas and PPS malignancies, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The proposed decision-making algorithm can reliably guide approach selection, which should primarily aim at ensuring intact-capsule excision of benign lesions suspicious for pleomorphic adenomas and clear-margins resection of PPS malignancies.

Evaluation of robotic surgery for transoral resection of T1-2 squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsillar fossa

GOAL

To evaluate transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for isolated previously untreated squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the tonsillar fossa classified as T1-2.

METHOD

Retrospective analysis of two cohorts of isolated untreated T1-2 tonsillar fossa SCC consecutively operated on by a transoral approach, with (R=21) and without (NR=24) robotic assistance, in the period 2006-2014. Three main (survival, local control, and operative morbidity) and three secondary (pathologic data, incidence and duration of tracheotomy and nasogastric intubation, and hospital stay) endpoints were compared between groups. The significance threshold was set at P< .005.

RESULTS

Three- and five-year actuarial survival estimates were 80.2% and 74.5% respectively in group R, and 91.5% and 82.5% respectively in group NR (NS: P=.34). Three- and five-year actuarial local control estimates were 90% and 90% respectively in group R, and 95.8% and 91% respectively in group NR (NS: P=.81). There were no significant differences in morbidity, tracheotomy/nasogastric intubation time, or hospital stay. Positive resection margins (R1) were noted in 38.1% and 16.7% in groups R and NR, respectively (NS: P=.05) without significant impact on 5-year actuarial local control (P=0.78).

CONCLUSION

Robotic assistance in transoral lateral oropharyngectomy for T1-2 tonsillar fossa SCC did not significantly impact oncologic or functional outcome.

Lateral pharyngotomy

Based on a review of the medical literature, the authors document the key technical points, variants, technical errors to avoid and main functional results of lateral pharyngotomy for resection of cancers originating from the lateral oro and/or hypopharynx.