title: The use of stereotactic navigation guidance in minimally invasive transnasal nasopharyngectomy: a comparison with the conventional open transfacial approach.
abstract: The purpose of this paper is to study the efficacy of applying stereotactic navigation guidance to nasopharyngectomy via a minimally invasive transnasal approach as compared with the conventional open transfacial approaches. The nasopharynx is the centre of the anterior skull base, which is remote from the surface of the facial skeleton. It is well known that there are several surgical approaches for access to resect tumours from the nasopharynx. However, the open techniques have been associated with much morbidity and only provide access to, and identification of, the ipsilateral internal carotid artery that forms the lateral boundary and resection limit of the nasopharynx. The coupling of stereotactic navigation guidance and a minimally invasive transnasal approach for nasopharyngectomy allows the surgeon to identify and protect the internal carotid artery bilaterally at the nasopharynx. This technique reduces operating time and morbidity to a minimum and yet is oncologically sound for resecting nasopharyngeal lesions. We compare 15 patients who underwent the stereotactic navigation guidance approach with 20 patients who received a conventional open transfacial approach.
authors: Division of Head and Neck-Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong.
authors: E W H
authors: EW
authors: To
authors: E H Y
authors: EH
authors: Yuen
authors: W M
authors: WM
authors: Tsang
authors: E C H
authors: EC
authors: Lai
authors: G K C
authors: GK
authors: Wong
authors: D T F
authors: DT
authors: Sun
authors: D T M
authors: DT
authors: Chan
authors: J M K
authors: JM
authors: Lam
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Ahuja
authors: W S
authors: WS
authors: Poon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D020212:Carotid Artery Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed