Buccal Fat for Transoral Robotic Lateral Oropharyngectomy Defects to and Postoperative Pain

Trans-oral robotic surgery (TORS) for oropharyngeal cancers have transformed how oropharyngeal cancers are managed, allowing for minimally invasive surgical access to remove tumors of the tonsil and base of tongue. While large incisions and open approaches can be avoided, oropharyngeal defects following TORS are traditionally left as an open wound to heal by secondary intention, resulting in significant postoperative pain, and possibly dysphagia and dehydration.

While this has been highlighted as a key outcome measure, studies on acute pain following TORS have not had any standardization regarding the timing of pain measurement, and pain assessment. Only one study has assessed pain during 'movement-related pain', such as swallowing, which has been advocated as a key metric. Most studies used a visual analogue scale, however, majority failed to describe the timing of pain assessment relative to administration of analgesia, time of day, or diet. Overall, pain ratings and opioid utilization were highly variable between studies resulting in pain ratings ranging widely from 2.5-8 in the first few days postoperatively.

Based on the current evidence, multimodal analgesia resulted in the lowest pain ratings following TORS, with those that included gabapentin, a COX-2 inhibitor and acetaminophen having excellent pain control in the early postoperative period. Using these regimens, Castellanos et al. found that postoperative opioid consumption significantly decreased in the first three postoperative days. Clayburgh, et al. identified that addition of perioperative corticosteroids was safe and significantly improved diet consistency, and decreased length of hospital stay, though pain scores were minimally affected.

No study thus far has assessed the impact of surgical interventions on postoperative pain and swallowing. This single center, phase II, randomized control trial aims to evaluate the impact of the buccal fat rotational flap on the postoperative pain following TORS.

Inclusion criteria

• Age > 18
• Require a transoral robotic lateral oropharyngectomy as a result of the following conditions :

• Early - intermediate stage tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma (T1-2N0-1 p16+/- SCC of the palatine tonsils)
• Early -intermediate stage salivary gland tumors of the palatine tonsils
• based on FNA, Core biopsy, Punch biopsy
• Ability to understand and willing to sign a written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• History of prior head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, or prior head and neck radiotherapy
• Presence of retropharyngeal lymphadenopathy
• Presence of bilateral lymphadenopathy, or patients requiring bilateral neck dissections.
• Patients with trismus at baseline
• Patients with psychological risk factors for persistent opioid use or drug addiction
• Need for open surgery (transcervical lateral oropharyngectomy), free tissue transfer, or alternative regional flap.
• Pregnancy