OBJECTIVETo evaluate salvage surgical approaches and efficacy for post-radiation local recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

METHODSThirteen patients with post-radiation local recurrent NPC underwent salvage surgical treatment by routes as transpalatal approach, nasal medial swing approach, maxillary swing approach and infratemporal fossa approach. All cases were followed up for 2 to 5 years. Analysis was done on the indications and efficacy of these 4 different approaching routes.

RESULTSNo immediate operative complications occurred for all these 13 cases. Four patients with T1 and T2a operated via transpalatal approach and nasal medial swing approach survived more than 3 years. Five patients with T2b and T3 operated via maxillary swing approach. Among them, two patients died at second and 24th month after operation, one survived with tumor and died at 13rd month after operation, two were alive free of tumor for 2 and 4 years after operation. Four patients with T4 operated via infratemporal fossa approach. Among them, three died in 1 year, one was alive free of tumor for 2 years.

CONCLUSIONSSurgical approaches were decided by a comprehensive consideration of recurrent tumor site and invasive range to achieve the best operative site exposure with minimal traumatic damage.