Use of a posterior pedicle nasal septum and floor mucoperiosteum flap to resurface the nasopharynx after endoscopic nasopharyngectomy for recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic nasopharyngectomy is a new salvage treatment for locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, how to resurface the nasopharyngeal defects in endoscopic endonasal approaches to avoid persistent postoperative headache, to the best of our knowledge, has not been reported.

METHODS

From September 2009 to August 2010, we used a modified posterior pedicle nasal septum and floor mucoperiosteum flap (nasal septum and floor flap, NSFF) after endoscopic nasopharyngectomy in 12 patients with locally recurrent NPC. Most of the nasal septum and floor mucoperiosteum, except for the posterior pedicle, was harvested to cover the nasopharyngeal defects.

RESULTS

All NSFFs successfully covered the entire nasopharyngeal defects and relined the nasopharynx with good functional recovery. The nasopharyngeal wounds recovered in 28 days (range, 14 to 56 days), and the donor-site wounds recovered in 46.5 days (range, 24-84 days). No reconstruction-related complications or disease recurrences were observed.

CONCLUSION

The NSFF is a safe and promising reconstructive option to resurface the nasopharyngeal defect after endoscopic nasopharyngectomy in patients with locally recurrent NPC.