13 Oropharynx

282 Oropharynx

Fig 12.7: Mould containing plastic tubes to treat a cancer of the hard palate. The same mould can be used in combina- tion with the Poseidon technique of the soft palate to treat extensions to the hard palate.

7.4 Tonsillar region: For tumours of the tonsillar region, the implant covers only the homolateral tonsillar region and a part of the soft palate. The two pillars and the soft palate are implanted as described above in the Pernot technique, but the tubes exit in the oropharyngeal cavity at the opposite side of the soft palate (Fig 12.5). A plastic spacer secures spacing between the oropharyngeal extremities of the tubes. These extremities are fixed with buttons. For tumours limited to the lower half of the tonsillar region, the two tubes can be replaced by a loop covering only the tonsillar region (Baillet technique) (Fig 12.8).

Fig 12.8: Baillet technique for implanting tumours of the lower tonsillar region. Fig 12.9: Pernot technique for implanting tumours of the tonsillar region invading the adjacent tongue,AP view. For tumours involving the tonsillar region as well as the adjacent tongue, an additional loop may be implanted into the tongue, in order to irradiate the glosso-tonsilar sulcus and the adjacent tongue (Fig 12.8). However, it is advised to use this technique only when there is limited (< 1 cm) invasion in