Minimally invasive techniques for head and neck malignancies: current indications, outcomes and future directions

Publication

Minimally invasive techniques for head and neck malignancies: current indications, outcomes and future directions

Journal Paper/Review - May 12, 2011

Hartl Dana M, Genden Eric M, Terris David J, Snyderman Carl H, Sesterhenn Andreas M, Rodrigo Juan P, Suárez Carlos, Stöckli Sandro, Takes Robert P, Silver Carl E, Ferlito Alfio, Rinaldo Alessandra

Citation

Hartl D, Genden E, Terris D, Snyderman C, Sesterhenn A, Rodrigo J, Suárez C, Stöckli S, Takes R, Silver C, Ferlito A, Rinaldo A. Minimally invasive techniques for head and neck malignancies: current indications, outcomes and future directions. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2011; 268:1249-57.

Type

Journal Paper/Review (English)

Journal

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2011; 268

Publication Date

May 12, 2011

Issn Electronic

1434-4726

Pages

1249-57

Brief description/objective

The trend toward minimally invasive surgery, appropriately applied, has evolved over the past three decades to encompass all fields of surgery, including curative intent cancer surgery of the head and neck. Proper patient and tumor selection are fundamental to optimizing oncological and functional outcomes in such a personalized approach to cancer treatment. Training, experience, and appropriate technological equipment are prerequisites for any type of minimally invasive surgery. The aim of this review was to provide an overview of currently available techniques and the evidence justifying their use. Much evidence is in favor of routine use of transoral laser resection, transoral robot-assisted surgery, transnasal endoscopic resection, sentinel node biopsy, and endoscopic neck surgery for selected malignant tumors, by experienced surgical teams. Technological advances will enhance the scope of this type of surgery in the future and physicians need to be aware of the current applications and trends.