Transoral Resection for Oropharyngeal Neoplasms

Transoral resection of oropharyngeal neoplasms using laser and microscope has been done for more than three decades. The evolution of endoscopic technology has allowed better conditions for intraoperative imaging, and more powerful coagulating energies have improved the safety of transoral resections. So, the progression of transoral surgery as a concept has incorporated surgery into the recent reduced regimens for the treatment of oropharyngeal neoplasms, in order to improve the functional results and the quality of life of patients. This chapter reviews the technical aspects of the transoral surgical treatment of oropharyngeal neoplasms using both transoral microscopic laser surgery (TOLM) and transoral endoscopic surgery with ultrasonic scalpel (TOUSS).