Endoscopic transoropharyngeal approach to the ventral region of craniocervical junction

Objective: To discuss the surgical methods and clinical effect of endoscopic transoropharyngeal approach to deal with the lesions of the ventral region of the craniocervical junction.

Methods: From August 2002 to November 2006, endoscopic transoropharyngeal approach was taken to deal with the lesions of the ventral region of the craniocervical junction, including 6 patients with chordoma, 5 patients with craniovertebral malformation, 3 patients with skull-base invagination combined with Chiari malformation, 2 patients with odontoid fracture . 0 degrees endoscope was used to deal with the lesions of middle and lower clivus, 30 degrees endoscope was used to deal with the lesions of craniovertebral malformation.

Results: Follow-up ranged from 2 to 48 months. Three patients with chordoma recurred. All patients with craniovertebral malformation recovered.

Conclusions: Endoscopic transoropharyngeal approach is a new method to deal with the lesions of the ventral region of the craniocervical junction, and it has many advantages, such as direct approach, good exploration, micro-invasive, wide operation space, and good results.