Transoral robotic resection of oropharyngeal synovial sarcoma in a pediatric patient

Localized synovial cell sarcomas are treated with surgical resection followed by chemo-radiation. Surgical resection of synovial sarcoma of the oropharynx and hypopharynx involves lip-splitting mandibulotomy resulting in treatment related morbidity. We report the successful use of Trans Oral Robotic Surgery for resection of localized synovial sarcoma of the lateral pharyngeal wall in a 15 year old patient. We were able to achieve negative surgical margins and avoid open surgery with its associated morbidity. At 2 years follow-up, patient is disease free, with no deficits in speech or swallowing functions and no cosmetic deformity.