Cancer of the tongue base treated by a transpharyngeal approach

Tongue base resection plays an important role in the management of the patient with cancer of the posterior tongue. The considerable morbidity resulting from loss of functional tongue includes compromised deglutition, chronic aspiration, and altered speech articulation. The particular operative approach used dictates additional secondary morbidity, which may include cosmetic and functional defects of the mandibular arch, malocclusion, lip and chin scars, and postoperative changes in the oral cavity. Our recent experience with a transpharyngeal approach in 13 patients with tongue base cancer is reviewed. Adequate operative exposure was obtained in all cases. Persistent aspiration was not a problem, and all patients learned to swallow effectively. The transpharyngeal approach avoids unnecessary surgical trauma to the mandible and anterior oral cavity and minimizes cosmetic deformity. Our early experience with this approach is encouraging.