TRANSORAL CO2-LASER RESECTION OF AN EXTEN SIVE NASOPHARYNGEAL AND ORAL TERATOMA

Background: Teratomas are quite rare congenital tumours, especially or iginating from the skull base in the region of the nasopharynx (1:40 0 00). Patient: We report on a premature 36-weeks old girl with an exten sive nasopharyngeal and oral teratoma. Method: With CO2 laser and micr o-endoscopic techniques the tumour was successfully resected directly via the transoral route without needing external incisions. Results an d Conclusions: These techniques, and particularly the use of CO2 laser , allow gentle resection of nasopharyngeal teratomas with only moderat e bleeding. General pathological aspects, clinical symptoms and update management of teratomas in the head and neck area are discussed, base d on this case. CO2 laser in conjunction with microscope and videoendo scope seems to offer an advantage compared to resection with conventio nal instruments alone.