Overview
Some conditions in the head and neck require surgical intervention. If you have surgery in this complex and delicate area, you need an expert surgeon on your treatment team.
Head and neck surgeons at Cleveland Clinic in Florida treat the full range of cancerous and noncancerous head and neck conditions. We offer several advanced surgical approaches that are less invasive than traditional procedures. We guide you every step of the way, including vital support after surgery to recover and regain function.
Why Choose Cleveland Clinic in Florida for Head and Neck Surgery?
- Patient-centered care: Head and neck surgery often has consequences that can make it challenging to smile, speak, swallow and perform other tasks. We offer many types of support to help you cope and recover. Our goal is to cure disease and alleviate symptoms while preserving as much function and appearance as possible.
- Demonstrated expertise: Our surgeons are fellowship-trained and national leaders in their field. They have extensive experience treating all benign and cancerous conditions in the complex anatomy of the head and neck. Each surgeon also subspecializes for deeper expertise in areas such as ear, larynx and sinus. Meet our team.
- Collaborative care: Our surgeons are part of a multidisciplinary team that meets regularly to review your case. This ensures you receive comprehensive treatment based on the expertise of multiple specialists. Your team may include oncologists, radiation oncologists, endocrinologists, rehabilitation specialists, otolaryngologists and speech-language pathologists.
- Innovation and research: Cleveland Clinic in Florida participates in research to improve head and neck disease diagnosis and treatment. Eligible patients may have access to the latest advancements not available everywhere.
- Specialized equipment: We use advanced technology to plan and execute the most precise surgery possible. This includes computer navigation, robotic-assisted surgery, minimally invasive options and reconstructive microsurgery to replace lost tissue.
- Convenient care: We can accommodate patients quickly, on the same day or the next day. This means you get the information and the care you need as soon as possible.
Head and Neck Conditions We Treat
Our head and neck surgeons treat cancerous and noncancerous conditions throughout the head and neck, including:
- Glands, including the salivary glands.
- Larynx.
- Lips and tongue.
- Mouth/oral cavity.
- Nose and sinuses.
- Throat.
The conditions we treat include:
- Benign (noncancerous) tumors and other masses.
- Broken nose or other facial fractures.
- Eagle syndrome, a condition that causes pain in the face and middle of the throat.
- Head and neck cancer, including laryngeal cancer and lip/oral cavity cancer.
- Neck masses.
- Parathyroid adenoma and other parathyroid conditions.
- Thyroid disease, including hyperparathyroidism.
Learn more about our head and neck treatment approaches and how we can help you regain function after surgery.
Head and Neck Treatment Options
Head and neck anatomy includes delicate structures like the eyes, brain, important nerves and main blood vessels. Our head and neck surgeons carefully apply their expertise and advanced technology to navigate this complex anatomy.
We also use minimally invasive approaches whenever possible to:
- Avoid or minimize scarring or other facial feature distortions.
- Expedite recovery.
- Lessen the risk of complications, such as infection.
- Limit the size and number of incisions.
- Minimize pain.
- Shorten your hospital stay.
Before you have surgery, our team takes time to make sure you understand your procedure, including:
- Benefits and risks of surgery.
- Surgical technique(s) we recommend.
- What to expect the day of surgery.
- Expectations for recovery.
After surgery, we have several follow-up visits with you. This ensures that we achieve the intended results and that you recover well.
Head and Neck Surgical Approaches
There are hundreds of approaches to head and neck surgery. Your team may use one or more of the following strategies:
- Computer navigation: We use computer navigation in the operating room to make our procedures as precise as possible. Special equipment takes ultra-high-definition images of your head and neck anatomy. Then software uses those images to map the surgical approach.
- Endoscopic surgery: This is a minimally invasive way to access inside the head and neck. Your surgeon passes a thin tube through your nose or mouth. We can create corridors without external incisions using special power tools and drills made for these small passageways.
- Nerve repair: This procedure explores nerves for causes of pain, removes abnormal tissue or repairs a damaged nerve. It is often successful in restoring normal nerve function and reducing nerve-related pain.
- Resection: We can cut out a tumor and some surrounding tissue using an open or minimally invasive approach. We also can remove lymph nodes where cancer has spread.
- Sentinel node biopsy: Sentinel node biopsy is a procedure that removes small organs called sentinel nodes so we can test them in a lab for cancer.
- Transoral robotic surgery (TORS): This minimally invasive robotic system removes abnormal tissue in your mouth and throat. It can provide access to hard-to-reach areas. This technology often is used to treat cancer and obstructive sleep apnea.
Most patients go home on the day of surgery or within a day or two. We have a specially developed pain-management protocol to reduce opioid use while ensuring you are as comfortable as possible.
Head and Neck Reconstruction
We make every effort to use minimally invasive procedures, but open surgery is sometimes necessary. This may involve a sizeable incision or removal of a significant amount of tissue or bone.
We work with our reconstructive surgery team to restore physical appearance, function and confidence. Our surgeons can use tissues from other parts of your body to replace tissues lost in surgery. This may include skin, muscle and bone.
Reconstruction also may involve a prosthesis, an artificial device that replaces a missing body part. Examples include jaw, eye, ear and nose.
Supportive Care for Head and Neck Surgery
Head and neck surgery can affect your ability to eat, smile, speak or swallow. We offer many types of support to help you cope and recover. We offer extensive education about your options for supportive care after surgery. We can connect you with:
- Mental health resources if you are experiencing anxiety or depression, common after head and neck surgery.
- Physical therapists and occupational therapists who can help you better perform everyday tasks.
- Social work services to connect you with community resources that can help you during recovery.
- Speech-language pathology experts to address any issues with speech or swallowing.
