Abstract
Insufficient exposure may require termination of procedure in transoral robotic surgery (TORS). The aim of study was to develop a "Pharyngoscore" to quantify the risk of difficult oropharyngeal exposure (DOE) before TORS. Three-hundred six patients undergoing any surgical procedure at one Academic Hospital were prospectively enrolled. Oropharynx was exposed with Feyh-Kastenbauer retractor. Exposure was evaluated by direct and endoscopic visualization of the four oropharyngeal subsites. Preoperative clinical/anthropometric parameters were studied in good oropharyngeal exposure and DOE groups. Logistic regression was performed to explore association between clinical/anthropometric parameters and DOE. Statistically significant parameters at multivariate analysis were incorporated into a nomogram. Sixty-five (21.2%) subjects were characterized by DOE. Variables associated with DOE at univariate analysis were male (p=0.031), modified Mallampati Class (MMC) ≥ III (p < 0.001), smaller interincisor gap (p < 0.001), and larger neck circumference (p=0.006). MMC, interincisor gap, and neck circumference were significant at multivariate analysis and were presented with a nomogram for creating the Pharyngoscore. The Pharyngoscore is a promising tool for calculating DOE probability before TORS.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
