Pull-through resection without free-flap reconstruction for lateral wall oropharyngeal cancer.

BACKGROUND: While transoral robotic surgery (TORS) is widely used for the management of lateral wall oropharyngeal carcinomas (OPC), open surgical techniques are still used in some cases. A pull-through method for open surgical resections of OPC has recently been introduced. We improved on this method by eliminating the need for subsequent free-flap reconstruction. METHODS: 16 patients with lateral wall OPC underwent pull-through resections. After resection, we used the digastric muscle, stylohyoid muscles, submandibular gland and the surrounding tissues to block the neck and oral cavity and to avoid reconstruction. RESULTS: This novel technique was performed without major complications or morbidities. The average post-operative hospital stay was 14.6 +/- 6.1 days, and the average duration until initiation of oral intake post-operation was 6.5 +/- 2.9 days. Oncological outcomes, post-operative course and function were acceptable. CONCLUSIONS: Our novel method provides an efficient and less invasive surgical technique than conventional open approaches.