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Updated: May 16, 2026
Lateral Molar Approach-Driven Transoral Endoscopic Procedure for Benign Infratemporal Fossa Tumor Resection
Published on: August 15, 2025
Soft palate preservation after tumor resection with transoral laser microsurgery
Kuauhyama Luna-Ortiz1, Antonio Gómez-Pedraza, Adalberto Mosqueda-Taylor
1Departamento de Cirugía de Cabeza y Cuello, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Mexico, DF, México.
Background:
Management and preservation of the soft palate is dependent on clinical stage and tumor histology. However, available literature is scarce regarding the palate preservation with the use of laser CO₂.
Objectives:
We report the results obtained after management with laser surgery and soft palate preservation in three patients with salivary gland neoplasms.
Method:
Three patients with minor salivary gland tumors were treated by means of transoral laser microsurgery. All tumors were assessed using magnetic resonance imaging. All tumors were >3 cm. Soft palate function was preserved and reconstruction was performed with primary closure. Patients began oral feeding the same day and were discharged after 24 h.
Conclusions:
Transoral laser microsurgery is recommended for treatment of soft palate tumors. This treatment can be considered a better option when compared with other modalities such as radio- or chemoradiotherapy which require a longer time of treatment, are more expensive and tend to produce significant toxicity.