Transcervical endoscopic retropharyngeal lymph node (RPLN) dissection in nasopharyngeal carcinoma with RPLN recurrence. Issue 1 (28th September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, You‐Ping; Wang, Shun‐Lan; Zou, Xiong; You, Rui; Yang, Qi; Zhang, Meng‐Xia; Wang, Zhi‐Qiang; Lin, Mei; Xie, Yu‐Long; Chen, Si‐Yuan; Ouyang, Yan‐Feng; Yu, Zi‐Kun; Liu, Xue‐Kui; Sun, Rui; Hua, Yi‐Jun; Huang, Pei‐Yu; Li, Hao; Chen, Ming‐Yuan
• Is Part Of: Head & neck. Volume 43:Issue 1(2021)
• Page Start: 98
• Page End: 107
• Publication Date: 2020-09-28
• Subjects: endoscopic‐assisted -- nasopharyngeal carcinoma -- retropharyngeal lymph node -- survival -- transcervical approach; Head -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Neck -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Head -- Periodicals; Neck -- Periodicals; Face -- Periodicals; 617.51059
• DOI: 10.1002/hed.26459
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1043-3074

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Surgical access for retropharyngeal lymph node (RPLN) dissection is difficult. We aimed to examine the efficacy of transcervical endoscopic RPLN dissection (TSE‐RPLND) for recurrent RPLN in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods: From April 2013 to February 2019, a total of 31 patients with NPC diagnosed with RPLN recurrence underwent TSE‐RPLND. The clinical characteristics, complications, and survival outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. Results: The mean duration of surgery, quantity of bleeding and postoperative hospitalization stay were 347.9 minutes, 107.7 mL, and 8.7 days, respectively. After a median follow‐up of 31.0 months, the 2‐year locoregional relapse‐free survival, distant metastasis‐free survival, progression‐free survival, and overall survival rates were 63.9%, 95.2%, 59.9%, and 83.3%, respectively. The long‐term incidences of swallowing problems, permanent nutrient tube, tongue atrophy, and shoulder problems were 6 (19.4%), 3 (9.7%), 3 (9.7%), and 3 (9.7%), respectively. Conclusions: TSE‐RPLND is an effective method to treat RPLN recurrence in NPC, but nerve injury‐related complications should not be ignored.