Lingual Artery Identification for Ligation in Neck Dissection and Transoral Surgery for Oropharyngeal Tumors

Abstract

Objectives

Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) and transoral laser microsurgery (TOLM) plus neck dissection are viable alternatives to radiotherapy as a treatment modality in select cases of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Many centers advocate for elective ligation of the feeding arteries at index neck dissection prior to TORS/TOLM to mitigate the risk of catastrophic perioperative hemorrhage. Although there are multiple cadaveric studies in the literature to identify the lingual artery at multiple points throughout its course, there are no studies on the intraoperative identification of the lingual artery for elective ligation prior to TORS/TOLM.

Methods

A retrospective review of all patients undergoing neck dissection with vessel ligation prior to TORS. Lingual artery was identified at its origin, and relation to hypoglossal nerve was recorded. Patient demographics, intraoperative findings including the relation between lingual artery and hypoglossal nerve measured in millimeters, and postoperative complications were extracted from medical records.

Results

Of the 33 cases eligible for this study, the lingual artery was identified directly deep to the hypoglossal nerve in 21 cases (63.6%). Of the remaining cases, seven were within 5 mm inferior to the hypoglossal nerve (21.2%), and only two cases (6.1%) were identified superior to the hypoglossal nerve.

Conclusion

The hypoglossal nerve is a useful landmark for the intraoperative identification of the lingual nerve in elective neck dissection prior to TORS. The lingual artery can be identified either immediately deep to or within 5 mm inferior to the hypoglossal nerve in majority of cases.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 135:2399–2402, 2025