Feasibility of transoral robotic nasopharyngectomy for recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma: how we do it.

Retreatment of recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) after radiotherapy or concomitant chemoradiation is challenging. Surgical resection can be a good method for resectable lesions and avoids the complication of re-irradiation. Recently, transoral robotic nasopharyngectomy has been developed as a minimally invasive procedure for localized recurrent NPC. We assessed feasibility of transoral robotic nasopharyngectomy in three patients with recurrent NPC. All patients had recurrent NPC (rT1) after radiation or chemoradiation therapy. All operations were performed successfully, and the surgical outcomes were acceptable. In conclusion, preliminary results indicate that transoral robotic nasopharyngectomy is feasible and safe for recurrent NPC.

New Technique in Nasal Tip Plasty: Sandwich Technique Using Cartilage and Septal Bone Complex.

OBJECTIVES: It is extremely difficult to obtain ideal tip projection and nose lengthening by septal extension graft using only septal cartilage in Asians, because their nasal septal and alar cartilages are small and weak. Therefore, we introduce a new septal extension graft using a cartilage-bone complex with the vomer and the perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone as well as cartilage to obtain optimal outcomes. METHODS: Participants included 30 patients who underwent surgery by external approach. The septal cartilage, vomer, and perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone harvested by septoplasty were used. There were 2 layers of cartilage on each side and bone in between to create a strong cartilage-bone complex for projection and lengthening. The bony portion was placed in the tip side, and the double-layered cartilage portion was placed in the inferior portion of the caudal septum of the L-strut to create powerful fixation. RESULTS: There were statistically significant improvements in nasal length (4.71 ± 0.65 vs 5.15 ± 0.53 cm, P value <.0001), tip projection (2.66 ± 0.40 vs 3.18 ± 0.42, P value <.0001), and nasolabial angle (94.0° ± 9.3° vs 107.2° ± 9.6°, P value <.0001) postoperatively. All patients were subjectively satisfied, and 2 different surgeons had excellent or good opinions in 28 (94%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: The sandwich technique using cartilage and bone complex results in satisfactory outcomes with stronger tip support, especially in Asians with a weak nasal tip who desire ideal tip projection and dramatic change.