A novel endoscopic nasopharyngectomy by low‐temperature plasma radiofrequency ablation in localized recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Abstract Objective Endoscopic nasopharyngectomy (ENPG) with en bloc resection has been well accepted in resectable localized recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (rNPC), but it is a difficult technique to master for most otorhinolaryngology head and neck surgeons. Ablation surgery is a new and simplified method to remove tumors. We designed a novel method using low‐temperature plasma radiofrequency ablation (LPRA) and evaluated the survival benefit. Methods A total of 56 localized rNPC patients were explained in detail and retrospectively analyzed. The surgery method was ablated from the resection margin to the center of the tumor. The postmetastatic overall survival (OS), local relapse‐free survival (LRFS) rate, progression‐free survival (PFS) and distant metastasis‐free survival (DMFS) were analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier method and compared by the log‐rank test. Results All surgeries were successfully performed without any severe postoperative complications or deaths. The median operation time of ablation and harvested NSFF respectively were 29 min (range, 15–100 min) and 101 min (range, 30–180 min). The average number of hospital days postoperation was 3 days (range, 2–5 days). All cases (100.0%) had radical ablation with negative resection margins. The nasopharyngeal defects were completely re‐epithelialized in 54 (96.4%) patients. As of the data cutoff (September 3, 2023), the median follow‐up time was 44.3 months (range, 17.1–52.7 months, 95% CI: 40.4–48.2). The 3‐year OS, LRFS, PFS and DMFS of the entire cohort were 92.9% (95% CI: 0.862–0.996), 89.3% (95% CI: 0.813–0.973), 87.5% (95% CI: 0.789–0.961), and 92.9% (95% CI: 0.862–0.996), respectively. Cycles of radiotherapy were independent risk factors for OS ( p = 0.003; HR, 32.041; 95% CI: 3.365–305.064), LRFS ( p = 0.002; HR, 10.762; 95% CI: 2.440–47.459), PFS ( p = 0.004; HR, 7.457; 95% CI: 1.925–28.877), and DMFS ( p = 0.002; HR, 34.776; 95% CI: 3.806–317.799). Conclusion Radical endoscopic nasopharyngectomy by using low‐temperature plasma radiofrequency ablation is a novel, safe and simplified method to master and disseminate for treating resectable rNPC. However, further data and longer follow‐up time are needed to prove its efficacy.