Management of small tumours involving the true vocal folds can be contentious. Tumour control is achieved in over 95% of patients presenting with T1 glottic cancer employing external beam radiation therapy, vertical hemilaryngectomy, or transoral endoscopic resection. Given adequate resources, the weight of evidence favours endoscopic transoral resection as the most cost-effective approach with...

OBJECTIVES To describe a novel technique using the image guidance system for transoral robotic surgery of the pharyngeal and parapharyngeal spaces. STUDY DESIGN Case series presentation. METHODS Three cases of oropharyngeal and pharyngeal space lesions are reviewed for presentation, workup, and original management. RESULTS Final pathology of a vascular malformation, an acinic cell adenoca...

Revision surgery for os odontoideum with irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation with a transoral approach is not commonly seen. Typically, management of this type of atlantoaxial dislocation is through posterior fixation and fusion or transoral decompression and posterior fusion. This report describes revision surgery in a patient with os odontoideum who was treated with a transoral approach. A 5...

BACKGROUND Elongated styloid process syndrome (Eagle's syndrome) is the term given to the symptomatic elongation of the styloid process or the mineralization of the stylohyoid or stylomandibular ligament. The two commonly used approaches for the surgical treatment of this syndrome are the transcervical and transoral approaches. Both have their limitations and specific intraoperative risks. Here...

Retropharyngeal lipomas are rare tumours that are usually asymptomatic until they reach a large size. The definitive treatment is surgical excision. Since the tumours are typically large at the time of presentation, extensive surgery for complete clearance of the lipoma from the retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal regions is to be expected. Transoral excision is typically indicated for small ret...

BACKGROUND We performed transoral robotic surgery (TORS) or conventional surgery via a transoral or mandibulotomy approach in patients with tonsillar cancer and prospectively analyzed the oncologic outcomes and functional recovery of the 3 groups. METHODS Between May 2008 and October 2011, 57 patients were enrolled in this prospective study. RESULTS Although there was no significant differe...

BACKGROUND The transoral approach to the parapharyngeal and retropharyngeal space (PPS/RPS) for the management of well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma (WDTC) has been previously described in other articles. However, limited exposure with this approach can be a challenge. METHODS This is a retrospective review of 6 patients who underwent ultrasound-guided transoral excision of PPS/RPS WDTC me...

BACKGROUND Accessory parotid gland tissue is salivary tissue adjacent to Stensen's duct that is distinctly separate from the main body of the parotid gland. Surgical removal of an accessory parotid mass is usually accomplished through an external neck incision. However, this procedure inevitably results in a neck scar. METHODS We report the case of a 55-year-old man with an accessory parotid ...

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...

Eagle's syndrome is characterised by focal pain in the tonsillar fossa on wide mouth opening or head rotation and various accompanying symptoms. While the syndrome is difficult to diagnose, shortening the styloid process via a transoral or transcervical surgical approach has been shown to be the most effective treatment. The aim of this article was to document our experience with a transoral ro...