Surgery in the pharynx belongs to the most frequent otorhinolaryngological procedures. Adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy are amongst the most frequent surgeries at all and belong to the first procedures which are performed by otorhinolaryngology residents during their specialist training. Therefore, it is essential to study early during the specialist training the most frequent pharyngeal procedures, surgical techniques, complications and outcome. A series of excellent clinical trials and meta-analyses have been published in the recent year demonstrating that adenoidectomy is an important therapy element in pediatric otorhinolaryngology. In particular due to the developments in the field of laser surgery, tonsillotomy could experience a revival in the recent years. The indication spectrum is still widening. There are many fields where clinical trials are needed to proof if tonsillotomy is as effective as tonsillectomy but with the advantage of lower morbidity. There are manifold pharyngeal surgical procedures to treat patients with obstructive sleep apnea. These surgical techniques have proved valuable especially as alternative to conservative therapy and in case of treatment failure under airway pressure therapy. As the obstruction during this type of sleep-related respiratory disorder is often not located at one anatomical site, an individual combination of several pharyngeal and other surgeries are needed for an effective treatment of the patient. The present article gives an overview of the most important pharyngeal surgeries for future otorhinolaryngologists under specialist training.
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