The Trotter procedure: a forgotten approach?

Abstract

Anatomically, the surgical management of tongue base lesions is a challenging prospect for any head and neck surgeon. William Trotter described a median labio-mandibular glossotomy for access to such lesions (Meis JM, Enzinger FM. Myolipoma of soft tissue. Am J Surg Pathol 1991;15:121–5). Not widely reported, this approach still remains an important tool in the armamentarium of head and neck surgeons. We outline the use of this approach to remove a myolipoma from the tongue base.

Primary intestinal‐type adenocarcinoma of the oral tongue: Case report and review of histologic origin and oncologic management

“…In 1920, William Trotter described the median labiomandibular glossotomy for access to the tongue base and oropharynx . We chose to modify the Trotter approach and perform a median lingual glossectomy to maximally preserve oral tongue volume, sensation, taste, and mobility.…”

“…10 In 1920, William Trotter described the median labiomandibular glossotomy for access to the tongue base and oropharynx. 12 We chose to modify the Trotter approach and perform a median lingual glossectomy to maximally preserve oral tongue volume, sensation, taste, and mobility. Free flap reconstruction was considered but, based on the surgical defect, this was unnecessary and led to decreased length of hospitalization.…”