Transoral excision of lateral parapharyngeal space tumors presenting intraorally

Six patients with parapharyngeal space tumors presenting intraorally over the past 16 years were managed by transoral excision. All had benign tumors of salivary gland origin (1 monomorphic and 5 pleomorphic adenomas) and 3 of 6 patients were asymptomatic. There were no surgical complications and blood loss was minor in all cases. One patient, who had refused treatment for more than 40 years, presented with dyspnea and dysphagia, and required a tracheotomy for safe induction of anesthesia. Only one patient was hospitalized for more than 3 days and only one tumor recurred--as a malignant pleomorphic adenoma 3 years later.