How To: Nasopharyngectomy without Maxillary Swing via a Combined Open Lateral and Endoscopic Approach

by Zachary Elliott, BS, Sean Parsel, DO, Brian Swendseid, MD, Kevin B. Xiao, MD, S. Hamad Sagheer, MD, Joseph M. Curry, MD, Mindy Rabinowitz, MD, Gurston Nyquist, MD, Marc R. Rosen, MD, James Evans, MD, Christopher J. Farrell, MD, and Adam J. Luginbuhl, MD •

RESULTS

Five patients underwent the combined approach surgery between March 2019 and October 2021. Patients 1–3 and 5 received definitive chemoradiotherapy to the skull base. Pathological examination of the surgical specimens confirmed that tissue margins were free of disease, except for patient 5. The mean operative time was 13 hours.

Patients 1, 3, and 4 had uncomplicated postoperative courses. Patient 2 had vocal cord paresis secondary to surgical manipulation at the time of resection that subsequently resolved without any intervention. Patient 5 required return to the OR for hematoma evacuation one day after surgery. There were no cerebrospinal fluid leaks, flap failures, or meningitis. The mean follow-up time was 15.1 months, with no evidence of tumor recurrence in all patients.