A 4-year review of surgical and oncological outcomes of endoscopic endonasal transpterygoid nasopharyngectomy in salvaging locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Purpose To study the surgical and oncological outcomes of endoscopic endonasal transpterygoid nasopharyngectomy (EETN) in salvaging locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Method This was a retrospective clinical record review study carried out at a tertiary centre from June 2013 until May 2017. A total of 55 locally recurrent NPC patients (rT1–rT4) underwent EETN performed by single skull base surgeon with curative intention with postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy but without postoperative radiotherapy. Results There were 44 (80.0%) males and 11 (20.0%) females, with mean age of 52.5 years. The mean operating time was 180 min (range 150–280 min). 85% (47/55) of patients achieved en bloc tumour resection. 93% (51/55) of patients obtained negative microscopic margin based on postoperative histopathological evaluation. Intraoperatively, one (1.8%) patient had internal carotid artery injury which was successfully stented and had recovered fully without neurological deficit. There were no major postoperative complications reported. During a mean follow-up period of 18-month (range 12–48 months) postsurgery, five patients (9.1%) had residual or recurrence at the primary site. All five patients underwent re-surgery. One patient at rT3 passed away 6 months after re-surgery due to distant metastasis complicated with septicaemia. The 1-year local disease-free rate was 93% and the 1-year overall survival rate was 98%. Conclusions EETN is emerging treatment options for locally recurrent NPC, with relatively low morbidity and encouraging short-term outcome. Long-term outcome is yet to be determined with longer follow-up and bigger cohort study. However, a successful surgical outcome required a very experienced team and highly specialised equipment.