Pull-through oropharyngectomy in advanced stage malignant tumours

Surgery is the first therapeutic option in extensive oropharyngeal carcinomas. An operation to treat these tumours is described, based on the hemiglossopelvectomy without mandibulectomy technique. Tumours located in the oropharynx are resected downwards by a modified pull-through approach, performing the resection of the oropharyngeal tumour in monoblock with the ipsilateral neck dissection, avoiding any action upon the mandible. The operation has been performed in 14 consecutive patients. By avoiding either mandibulotomy or mandibulectomy, morbidity and post-operative recovery are improved.