Long‐Term Outcomes of End‐Flexible‐Rigidscopic Transoral Surgery for Pharyngolaryngeal Cancer

Objective End-flexible-rigidscopic transoral surgery (E-TOS) is a new and minimally invasive transoral surgery for resection of Tis-selected T3 pharyngolaryngeal cancers. We evaluated long-term oncological outcomes and whether postoperative voice and swallowing function were preserved following E-TOS. Methods In this retrospective single-center study, 154 patients treated with E-TOS using a curved retractor, flexible-tip rigid endoscope, and thin curved instruments were included. Their survival rate, larynx preservation rate, and disease control rate were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Postoperative voice function was evaluated using both objective and subjective tests. Postoperative swallowing function was assessed using the Hyodo score and the functional outcome swallowing scale. Results The 3-year and 5-year overall survival, disease-specific survival, disease-free survival, laryngectomy-free survival, local control, and loco-regional control rates post E-TOS were 89.8% and 82.2%, 95.6% and 92.3%, 78.5% and 70.3%, 87.2% and 80.9%, 93.9% and 92.5%, and 87.2% and 85.7%, respectively. Both objective and subjective postoperative voice and swallowing function tests were within normal limits in more than 90% of the patients. Conclusion E-TOS is an effective, safe, low-cost, and minimally invasive transoral surgery for Tis-selected T3 pharyngolaryngeal cancer; it also preserves postoperative voice, larynx, and swallowing function. Level of Evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 2022