Background: Radionecrosis is a complication of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) that is difficult to treat. Endoscopic debridement is the first-line treatment for radionecrosis. After debridement, however, either bone or the internal carotid artery is exposed and requires mucosal coverage.
Objectives: This study sought to demonstrate the effectiveness of a nasoseptal flap (NSF) after endoscopic debridement of radionecrosis in the reconstruction of nasopharyngeal or skull base defects.
Methods: Nine patients with NPC who underwent navigation-guided endoscopic debridement, followed by NSF reconstruction between April 2013 and July 2016, were included. The patients' clinical features and outcomes were evaluated.
Results: All nine patients had headaches, and eight had a foul odor associated with their radionecrosis. One patient underwent three radiotherapy treatments, four had two treatments, and the remaining four had just one treatment. The foul odor disappeared after treatment in all the patients who had been affected. The headache was significantly reduced after treatment in all patients. The NSF detached in two patients. In one patient, NSF failed, and the patient experienced postoperative rupture of the internal carotid artery. In the seven other patients, the NSF successfully covered the resultant defects, despite one intraoperative internal carotid artery rupture. Only two patients required further debridement, whereas the others experienced complete healing after just one surgical procedure. The nasopharyngeal surface was healthy-appearing in eight patients (median follow-up, median 11 months).
Conclusion: Reconstruction by using NSF after endoscopic debridement for radionecrosis of NPC allowed for faster healing and reduced the need for further debridement.