Over time, the tracheotomy has gone by several different names, among them pharyngotomy, laryngotomy, bronchotomy, tracheostomy, and tracheotomy.
The pharyngotomy can be initiated at several sites, depending on the location of the tumor. We do not advise Pearson's transventricular pharyngotomy.
Suprahyoid pharyngotomy has been utilized as the standard approach to tongue base cancer not involving the larynx or mandible for the last 6 years at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Boston, Mass.