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Introduction The management of parapharyngeal space (PPS) tumors is surgical, but the approach remains a challenge. Attention should be paid to avoid intra-operative bleeding, cranial nerves damage, and external scars. Presentation of case The authors report a case of a 23-year-old female, with complaint of progressive, painless swelling just below the right angle of the mandible of 6-month's duration. Magnetic resonance imaging images reported the presence of an oval-shaped expansive lesion (maximum diameter 3 cm), from the lower polar region of the parotid gland while fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) was not diagnostic. We performed a Trans Oral Robotic surgical excision of the tumors with Da Vinci Robot. Discussion Thanks to a detailed magnification, the authors were able to reach the PPS region through the tonsillar fossa saving the palatine tonsil without any significant bleeding or nerve lesions. The histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of pleomorphic adenoma of parotid gland. The decision on which surgical approach to be used is determined by site, size vascularity, histology of the tumor, and knowledge of radiological images. Conclusion There is not only 1 surgical approach for PPS tumors but the surgeon must know all the different options and possible outcomes. Transoral Robotic Surgery approach with Da Vinci could represent a valid option with a good knowledge of Robot surgical instruments and a detailed preoperative plan.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of suturation (tonsillary fossa closure) plus Surgicel application on postoperative bleeding and pain after tonsillectomies performed using a classical dissection method. STUDY DESIGN A prospective, randomized, double-blind, clinical trial was performed on 760 patients undergoing tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy during a 5-year period. METHODS After excluding patients with hemorrhagic disorder, chronic disease, and peritonsillar abscess, both tonsils were removed via classic dissection technique (cold knife or blunt dissection) and then electrocauterized for hemostasis. The tonsillar fossa randomly assigned to the treatment protocol (Group 1) was closed by sutures, following Surgicel application. The other side was unaltered and acted as the control (Group 2). Pain was evaluated every day for 10 days postoperatively, and bleeding was reported at any time. RESULTS A total of 760 patients (393 males, 367 females) between the ages of 4 and 35 years (mean age 13.46 ± 7.98) were included in the study. Bleeding was observed in 31 patients: 8 from Group 1; and 23 from Group 2 (95% confidence interval [CI], P

Apart from the skin and choroid plexus, primary malignant melanoma is rare at the other sites and lacks organized documentation. Here, we have tried to enumerate the primary malignant melanomas at various atypical sites, supported by literature review. Seventeen cases were identified from our records of the past 5 years, which had detailed clinical work-up to exclude a possibility of a metastasis. A clear female predominance with involvement of the lower genitourinary tract was identified. In addition to three cases from the vagina, two cases each from the cervix, ovary and urethra, respectively, such cases were also identified in cerebral cortex (frontal and fronto-parietal area), rectum, nasal cavity, tongue, breast and tonsillar fossa. Although many were amelanotic, no specific histology was noted. In conclusion, malignant melanomas can arise in unconventional areas. Gross tumor appearance and the unavailability of an immunohistochemical panel, may result in their misdiagnosis as primary epithelial malignancies. A possible metastasis should always be ruled out.

Wide excision of cancer arising from the tonsillar fossa and soft palate has several functional sequelae (e.g., speech, swallowing, chewing, and breathing) that require surgical restoration of the pharyngeo-palatal structure and optimal velopharyngeal function. For this purpose, several kinds of surgical procedures have been introduced. Our method to reconstruct the tonsillar fossa and soft palate entails folding the flaps and reconstructions at the same time as the oral and nasal planes, with some modifications.Patient 1 was a 64-year-old man with left soft palate cancer. After wide excision of the tumor, the defect size of the nasal floor was 3 × 3 cm, and that of soft palate and tonsillar fossa was 8 × 5 cm. Patient 2 was a 49-year-old man with left tonsil cancer. The defect size of the nasal floor was 3 × 3 cm, and that of left lateral wall of the tonsillar fossa was 8 × 3 cm. For reconstruction of oral, nasal, and tonsillar plane, we designed the flap fit to the defect site, especially cutting of the edge of the square plane of the flap to a round shape.Both patients achieved good functional recovery without surgical complications. The average speech intelligibility score in the 2 patients was 10. Swallowing functional score was 4 in both patients. Creative reconstruction with modified radial forearm free flap for tonsillar and soft palate area makes it possible to restore velopharyngeal function to levels close to the preoperative condition.

Extracardiac rhabdomyomas are very uncommon tumors comprising approximately 2% of the neoplasms of striated muscle origin. The adult extracardiac rhabdomyoma is generally characterized as a slowly growing, usually solitary lesion, which is nearly always found in the head and neck area of elderly persons. The most common reported head and neck subsites are the floor of the mouth, tongue, palate, lips, and cheeks. We report an unusual presentation of rhabdomyoma that should be included in the differential diagnosis of tumors presenting as a large tonsillar fossa mass. In our review of the almost 160 clinical notes reported in the literature, only 2 instances of tonsillar rhabdomyomas were found. The cytologic and immunohistochemical differential diagnoses of this tumor are also discussed.

The control of chronic drooling in cerebral palsy has been difficult in the past. Previous methods to control drooling include the Wilkie procedure, which diverts the salivary flow from the parotid glands by means of surgically created tunnels to the tonsillar fossa, along with submandibular gland resection. An alternative is submandibular gland resection with bilateral parotid duct ligation. Previous published studies using this method have resulted in good to excellent results, but population sizes were felt to be too small to be conclusive. Since 1979, a total of 58 patients have been treated by parotid duct ligation with submandibular gland resection, and 86 percent have shown good to excellent results. These results compare favorably with those published by Wilkie. Also, parotid duct ligation is technically easier, associated with less postoperative morbidity, and has shown a decreased duration of hospitalization compared to parotid duct transposition.