Abstract
The patient was a 69-year-old man diagnosed with type 0-IIa＋IIc superficial carcinoma in the right epiglottis and base of the tongue, and type 0-Is＋IIb superficial carcinoma in the right pyriform sinus. Lymph node and organ metastases were not detected. Endoscopic laryngo-pharyngeal surgery (ELPS) was performed on these lesions. Pathological findings revealed that the type 0-IIa＋IIc lesion was a well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (SEP, ly0, v0, HM0, VM0) and the type 0-Is＋IIc lesion was a moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (SEP, ly1, v1, HM0, VM0) .
ELPS is video-assisted surgery which is performed under general anesthesia. The concept and technique of ELPS are based on the principles of laparoscopic surgery and endoscopic submucosal resection (ESD) . Using ELPS it is possible to perform large en bloc resection in the oral, supraglottic and pharyngeal areas. We perform ELPS with two doctors of the operator and the endoscopic operator. The endoscopic operator inserts a digestive endoscope through the mouth. The surgeon inserts surgical instruments via the mouth, and removes the lesion while watching the image on a monitor. Our experience indicates that it is possible to safely remove a carcinoma from the base of the tongue using ELPS, and also that the procedure is useful and effective for treatment of superficial carcinoma.
