Surgical approaches for cancer of the oropharynx

For the treatment of tumors of the oropharynx, surgery may still play an important role. Four surgical approaches to the oropharynx are reviewed: (1) transoral, (2) combined transoral-transcervical (known as the “delivery” or “pull-through” approach), (3) transpharyngeal, and (4) transmandibular. The indications for each surgical approach, operative technique, and management are reviewed.