Transoral en bloc resection of superficial laryngeal and pharyngeal cancers.

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of minimally invasive transoral en bloc resection of superficial pharyngeal and laryngeal cancers.

Methods: Forty-one superficial lesions (from 35 patients) were resected transorally under a surgical microscope using a monopolar cautery. Quality of life (QOL) was assessed using a questionnaire European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Head and Neck Cancer Module (EORTC QLQ-H&N35) 1 year after the surgery.

Results: Twenty-eight hypopharyngeal, 5 oropharyngeal, and 8 laryngeal cancers were operated on using this method. The surgical field was widely exposed with a wide-caliber scope or extending laryngoscope. A bimanual procedure under a surgical microscope enabled us to achieve en bloc resection. The local control rate was 98%. No postoperative dyspnea or dysphagia was observed. Postoperative QOL scores were favorable.

Conclusions: Our transoral en bloc resection technique can be easily adopted, and it effectively maintained QOL after treatment.