Surgical management of carcinoma of the posterior pharyngeal wall

Carcinoma of the posterior pharyngeal wall is an aggressive disease that demands vigorous therapy, often in the form of combined surgery and radiotherapy. Surgical excision of wide areas of the posterior pharyngeal wall may allow acceptable swallowing function in many patients. This article reviews the methods of surgical exposure utilized in conservation pharyngeal surgery and emphasizes the important principles involved in the preservation of laryngeal and pharyngeal functions.