Suprahyoid pharyngotomy – a rare, but a simple approach in head and neck surgery

The surgical transcervical approach creates a corridor to oropharynx and hypopharynx, which provides excellent exposure for removal of different lesions at these sites. The suprahyoid pharyngotomy technique can be used in situations similar to the lateral pharyngotomy, like the management of benign and malignant tumors of the base of the tongue, hypopharynx, and posterior pharyngeal wall, and excision of lingual thyroid.

Here, we have discussed in detail about two patients for which this suprahyoid pharyngotomy approach was used – one, for a case of laryngeal schwannoma and another, for a case of lingual thyroglossal duct cyst. We have also reviewed many articles related to suprahyhoid pharyngotomy and came across 36 cases for which this approach was successfully used.