SCC Back of Pharyngeal Wall - Break Jaw??

momall25ofu
momall25ofu Member Posts: 81 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

When we first went to oncologist (teaching hospital), the oncology intern told us that they would break my husband's jaw when they do the TORS robotic surgery.   We did not think to ask the surgeon about it.  My husband is concerned about it and wondering what to expect.  He's hoping the intern was wrong.  My husband insisted on surgery first ... he wants as much of the cancer out as possible, hoping for less rad/chemo. Has anyone else here had SCC on back of the pharyngeal wall?  It's apparently hard to get at?   

Comments

  • johnsonbl
    johnsonbl Member Posts: 266 Member
    edited August 2018 #2
    Hmmm....

    Was this during the consent process where they tell you all the "risks" of a procedure?  There is a slight risk that they could break teeth or break his jaw during the procedure.  The pharyngeal wall is basically the back of your throat from the nasopharnyx down to the laryngiopharynx.  This is exactly what TORS is designed to do.  Reach down your throat and cut.

    I had TORS to remove the tumor from the base of my tongue.  No complications at all.

    Brandon

  • momall25ofu
    momall25ofu Member Posts: 81 Member
    #3
    johnsonbl said:

    Hmmm....

    Was this during the consent process where they tell you all the "risks" of a procedure?  There is a slight risk that they could break teeth or break his jaw during the procedure.  The pharyngeal wall is basically the back of your throat from the nasopharnyx down to the laryngiopharynx.  This is exactly what TORS is designed to do.  Reach down your throat and cut.

    I had TORS to remove the tumor from the base of my tongue.  No complications at all.

    Brandon

    Brandon,  thank you for

    Brandon,  thank you for letting me know that TORS was not bad.  They told us that the issue was it is hard to get behind the pharyngeal wall.   The intern simply said they WILL break his jaw to get back there, even with TORS.  I took it as what was going to happen .... period.  But, since the doctor didn't say it, Danny's not taking it as positively.   I'm going to call the nurse and ask the question.  THANKS!

     

    Mary Kaye

  • johnsonbl
    johnsonbl Member Posts: 266 Member
    #4
    momall25ofu said:

    Brandon,  thank you for

    Brandon,  thank you for letting me know that TORS was not bad.  They told us that the issue was it is hard to get behind the pharyngeal wall.   The intern simply said they WILL break his jaw to get back there, even with TORS.  I took it as what was going to happen .... period.  But, since the doctor didn't say it, Danny's not taking it as positively.   I'm going to call the nurse and ask the question.  THANKS!

     

    Mary Kaye

    I've never heard of that...

    I've not found any literature about having to intentionally break a persons jaw to do TORS...but there is a first time for everything.  Let us know what they say so we all know moving forward.

    Brandon

     

  • momall25ofu
    momall25ofu Member Posts: 81 Member
    #5
    johnsonbl said:

    I've never heard of that...

    I've not found any literature about having to intentionally break a persons jaw to do TORS...but there is a first time for everything.  Let us know what they say so we all know moving forward.

    Brandon

     

    Brandon, I had really looked

    Brandon, I had really looked online, too, and couldn't find anything.  We went for pre-op today and the nurse told us it was NOT in the chart to break his jaw.  Thank goodness, cause it had been fretting him.   He's all prepped and ready.  I'm grateful for such good medical care.

    I have no idea why that intern would say that!!   

  • tommyodavey
    tommyodavey Member Posts: 728 Member
    #6
    An Odd One

    I agree that the TORS was designed to avoid breaking the jaw for the hard to reach areas.  My BOT tumor was removed via TORS but there was only one doctor in my city certified to operate it.  If he couldn't do it they said to go a neighboring state.

    During my research on it years ago I found that in other countries who don't have the robot arm it is normal procedue to break the jaw to be able to reach down into the throat.  One more thing to heal on top of the surgery.  Before TORS it was common to do so.  We are very lucky to have this new robot helping out.

     

    Never trust an intern I guess.  Good health going forward.

  • johnsonbl
    johnsonbl Member Posts: 266 Member
    #7
    momall25ofu said:

    Brandon, I had really looked

    Brandon, I had really looked online, too, and couldn't find anything.  We went for pre-op today and the nurse told us it was NOT in the chart to break his jaw.  Thank goodness, cause it had been fretting him.   He's all prepped and ready.  I'm grateful for such good medical care.

    I have no idea why that intern would say that!!   

    Great!

    I suspect the resident was talking about risks and like many of us you were overwhelmed and misheard what he was saying.  My guess...  :-)

  • momall25ofu
    momall25ofu Member Posts: 81 Member
    #8
    tommyodavey said:

    An Odd One

    I agree that the TORS was designed to avoid breaking the jaw for the hard to reach areas.  My BOT tumor was removed via TORS but there was only one doctor in my city certified to operate it.  If he couldn't do it they said to go a neighboring state.

    During my research on it years ago I found that in other countries who don't have the robot arm it is normal procedue to break the jaw to be able to reach down into the throat.  One more thing to heal on top of the surgery.  Before TORS it was common to do so.  We are very lucky to have this new robot helping out.

     

    Never trust an intern I guess.  Good health going forward.

    Thank you, Tommy.  We’re

    Thank you, Tommy.  We’re checking in... today’s surgery.  I’ll let you know afterwards.  

  • wbcgaruss
    wbcgaruss Member Posts: 2,466 Member
    edited August 2018 #9
    Surgery well wishes

    Prayers for You and your Surgery Team that they are Blessed with Great Skill and Guidance and that everything goes smoothly and your recovery is speedy.

  • TheDrj820
    TheDrj820 Member Posts: 9
    edited August 2018 #10
    momall25ofu said:

    Thank you, Tommy.  We’re

    Thank you, Tommy.  We’re checking in... today’s surgery.  I’ll let you know afterwards.  

    Prayers for a safe and

    Prayers for a safe and successful surgery.

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