**Oropharyngeal cancers:**

**Airway Pathology:** The oropharynx extends from the level of the hard palate superiorly to the level of the hyoid bone inferiorly. Laterally it houses the tonsils and faucial pillars.

**Airway Management:** The main concern is the conversion of a partially obstructed airway (by the tumor) to a completely obstructed (by swelling and/or bleeding) with upper airway or tumor manipulation. In cases of big oropharyngeal tumors, secure airway management requires the need to guarantee the airway before trying a definitive airway and avoidance of any instrumentation or manipulation of the pathology. Trans-tracheal puncture and block techniques are secure means to ventilate and oxygenate patients while more definitive maneuvers are performed (**Figures 12**–**14**).
