This is a useful book on the increasingly important transoral approach to tumours of the head and neck. The authors, who are well known US experts in the field, have produced a colourful textbook, with current, well-illustrated information on all aspects of transoral surgery. The book starts with a historical perspective, followed by a detailed review of relevant anatomy. Excellent artistic illustrations and intra-operative pictures provide a great perspective and appreciation of the inside-out anatomical concept. The importance of instrumentation, including laser microsurgery and robotic surgery, is heavily emphasised throughout. The authors dedicate a separate chapter to margin analysis and mapping techniques, along with pathological considerations in transoral surgery.
The applications of transoral surgery to all sites of the upper aerodigestive tract are presented in an evidence-based manner, with an adequate number of references for further reading. Tips and pearls of surgical techniques, and both functional and oncological results, are equally emphasised by the authors. Complications of transoral surgery and the role of the multidisciplinary setting are discussed in detail. The final chapters of the book focus on the functional and oncological outcomes of transoral surgery compared with those of open surgery and chemoradiotherapy.
The front page is well designed, displaying an illustration of the lateral pharyngeal wall vasculature. The print quality is good. The exterior is a solid hardback cover and the interior boasts fine glossy paper, with high-resolution pictures throughout. Some of the intra-operative pictures could be improved, as they are slightly blurred. Readers can access a companion website, with video footage of transoral surgery techniques for various head and neck primary cancer sites.
Overall, this is a good textbook on the technical aspects of transoral surgery. It is easy to read, with a good explanation of the anatomical and functional aspects of this increasingly popular approach.
