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Our Current Innovations and Technologies

The professionals at Head and Neck Surgical Associates are proud to integrate the latest innovations and technologies in the care they provide to their patients. With this advanced technology, our staff can effectively treat patients who are in need of head and neck, oral, maxillofacial, and facial cosmetic surgery.

If you would like to learn more about our practice, and the latest technologies in the field of head and neck surgery, contact Head and Neck Surgical Associates today.

• Preoperative Computer Assisted Planning and Intraoperative Navigation
  • Minimally Invasive Surgery
  • Transoral Laser Microsurgery
  • Endoscopic Surgery
  • Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy for Oral Cancer

Preoperative Computer Assisted Planning and Intraoperative Navigation

The application of preoperative computer assisted planning and intraoperative navigation typically includes the making of three-dimensional models for treatment planning, production of custom designed prostheses, and the replication of anatomical objects to guide the surgeon's reconstructive efforts. When 3D visualization is combined with a 3D surgery simulation and intraoperative navigation, it becomes a powerful tool for precise and accurate surgical planning. Visualization of the surgical plan is also valuable for enhancing communication between the surgeon and the patient.

Minimally Invasive Surgery

At Head and Neck Surgical Associates, our experienced staff performs minimally invasive techniques to reduce scarring and recovery time for the best possible surgical outcomes.

Transoral Laser Microsurgery

In the past, many head and neck cancers were treated with either a combination of radiation and chemotherapy or standard “open” surgery, which required incisions in the neck. In the last 20 years, the operating microscope, microsurgical instruments, and carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers have revolutionized the treatment of these tumors.

Transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) uses a flexible, hollow-core fiber to transmit CO2 laser energy. This enables surgeons to reach otherwise inaccessible areas and perform 360-degree resections around tumors in ways that were previously not possible.

Using special endoscopes to visualize the oral cavity or throat, the laser can remove head and neck tumors without sacrificing large sections of adjacent normal tissue, which is usually required in traditional surgery. Tumors are not vaporized by the laser beam, but are carefully excised for pathologic evaluation. In selected patients, TLM can provide tissue margins tailored to the tumor rather than to standard surgical procedures. Thus, every patient receives an individualized treatment plan.

Energy from the CO2 laser is better absorbed by the tissues and results in reduced trauma as compared to standard electrocautery techniques. Using the appropriate power, the laser beam precisely cuts to seal the surrounding mucosa, resulting in minimal carbonization of surrounding tissues.

TLM may also result in reduced post-operative pain and shorter rehabilitation. Patients usually only spend a day or two in the hospital, rather than five to seven days, which can be the case for a standard surgical procedure.

Endoscopic Surgery

Surgeons at Head and Neck Surgical Associates use an endoscope to perform a wide variety of procedures with virtually no scarring. An endoscope may be used to assess the interior surfaces of an organ, and requires the insertion of only a small, camera-equipped tube. In addition, the transoral endoscopic assisted repair of facial fractures, such as those that occur in the mandibular condyle, orbit, or frontal sinus, can now be repaired through endoscopic surgery for minimal scarring. Some tumors of the head and neck may also be removed in a similar manner, via the nose. At Head and Neck Surgical Associates, it is our goal to use minimally invasive surgical techniques whenever possible.

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy for Oral Cancer

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SNB) is a minimally invasive technique that is currently under investigation for staging of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). SNB offers the potential of reducing the risks associated with selective neck dissection.

Contact Head and Neck Surgical Associates

If you would like to learn more about the current innovations and technologies utilized at the Northwest's most specialized practice for oral and maxillofacial surgery, head and neck surgery, and facial plastic surgery, contact Head and Neck Surgical Associates today.

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