Surgical access to parapharyngeal space tumors: Our experience

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Produl Hazarika

NMC Specialty Hospital, UAE

: J Otol Rhinol

Abstract

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The surgical access to parapharyngeal space tumors is limited and difficult. This is because it is a blind space enclosing important neurovascular structures with the tumor occasionally arising from the nerve itself. In view of the above, a careful meticulous dissection is required via a safe approach like the trans-cervical, cervicomaxillary or the cervicoparotid approach. Mandibulotomy is an option for better exposure for superiorly located tumor in parapharyngeal space. Though few series have been reported, recently not many reports have been seen. We present our experience in 61 cases of parapharyngeal space tumors from January 1992 to February 2016 where surgical excision was done via the trans-cervical approach with or without mandibulotomy. CT scans, ultrasound, FNAC, and MRI angiography have been used as diagnostic tools.

Biography

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Produl Hazarika is presently working as an Otolaryngologist in NMC Specialty Hospital in Abu Dhabi, UAE. He is a former Professor, Head and Director of Post-graduate studies of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery at Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, India. He has 28 years of clinical teaching experience both at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, with over 100 publications in various national and international journals. He was selected as international guest scholar by the American College of Surgeon in 1986 and has travelled widely to the US, Australia, UK and Malaysia, Switzerland, Mauritius on various fellowship programs.