Head and neck surgery includes surgical procedures to diagnose and treat head and neck cancers, thyroid nodules, malignant thyroid conditions and salivary gland diseases.
This field of surgery works in concert with other disciplines, such as dental surgery, otolaryngology (ear nose and throat), neurosurgery (brain surgery), reconstructive and therapeutic surgery and radiotherapy.
This multidisciplinary participation is important for the treatment and management of head and neck cancers. The tumours have to be entirely removed, followed by reconstructive surgery to repair the shape and function of the affected organ, as well as therapy for speech, swallowing and breathing. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy might also be needed after the surgery. Some other common procedures include:
- Surgical oncology, such as laryngectomy (removal of the larynx / voice box) and tonsillectomy (removal of the tonsils)
- Minimally invasive techniques for thyroidectomy, skull base surgery (tumour removal on the underside of the brain) and endoscopic sinus surgery (remove blockages in sinuses)