A retrospective analysis of surgery in prestyloid parapharyngeal tumors: Lateral approaches vs transoral robotic surgery

Peri-operative complications following endoscopic-assisted transoral resection of parapharyngeal space tumors: retrospective analysis of 100 patients

PURPOSE

A transoral surgical corridor can provide adequate exposure for extirpation of benign tumors arising from the parapharyngeal space (PPS). However, peri-operative complications following a transoral approach to the PPS have not been sufficiently described. This study retrospectively reviewed patients with PPS tumor extirpated via an endoscopic-assisted transoral approach, aiming to evaluate the safety of this approach and summarize the peri-operative complications.

METHODS

One hundred consecutive patients who underwent an endoscopic-assisted transoral resection of PPS benign tumors at a university hospital were enrolled. Indices including intraoperative catastrophic bleeding, cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) leak, post-operative respiratory airway swelling, cranial neural injury, operative field infection, oral suture dehiscence and venous thrombosis, were assessed from the date of surgery to 3 months after the surgery.

RESULTS

Tumors in the PPS were safely and successfully removed via an endoscopic-assisted transoral approach for all 100 patients. Intra-operative CSF leak occurred in 3 patients, while the CSF leak was appropriately repaired intraoperatively without long-term post-operative CSF leak. No catastrophic bleeding, respiratory airway swelling, and operative field infection occurred. Cranial neuropathy occurred in 16 patients, five of whom fully recovered, while the remainder demonstrated permanent neural deficits. Oral suture dehiscence occurred in 13 patients, and all patients healed well after wound packing. Deep vein thrombosis was observed in three patients and pulmonary embolism in one patient, however, no severe consequences happened.

CONCLUSION

An endoscopic-assisted transoral corridor is safe and effective for benign tumor extirpation in the PPS with few peri-operative complications.

Undifferentiated small round cell sarcoma of the parapharyngeal space in a 4.5-year-old patient:A rare case report

This case report describes a 4.5-year-old girl diagnosed with a rare Undifferentiated Small Round Cell Sarcoma (USRCS) originating in the parapharyngeal space with multiple lung metastases. Diagnostic workups, including imaging, immunohistochemistry, and genetic sequencing, identified the tumor as an unclassified subtype of USRCS. The patient was treated with the Ewing sarcoma chemotherapy regimen, alternating between VDC (vincristine + doxorubicin + cyclophosphamide) and IE (ifosfamide + etoposide), in combination with bevacizumab. The tumor achieved complete remission, and no recurrence has been observed during follow-up.

Transoral robotic parapharyngeal space dissection

Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) provides a minimally invasive approach to address tumors in selected and challenging anatomical locations. Among the critical areas where TORS demonstrates its prowess is the oropharynx. Oropharyngeal tumors can invade parapharyngeal space (PPS) which contains vital structures such as the carotid artery, internal jugular vein, and cranial nerves IX-XII. A deeper understanding of the endoscopic anatomy of the parapharyngeal space could reduce the morbidity associated with tumor resection in this dense neurovascular area. This video-article provides a step-by-step cadaveric dissection of the lower PPS though a transoral robotic approach.

Review of retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal nodal metastasis of papillary thyroid carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common type of thyroid cancer. In rare instances, PTC has metastasized to the retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal nodes. This is hypothesized to occur due to an aberrant lymphatic channel or via retrograde lymphatic flow following previous neck dissection.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted with keywords "parapharyngeal," "retropharyngeal," and "papillary thyroid carcinoma."

RESULTS

46 articles were identified for a total of 135 cases. The most common presenting symptom was lymphadenopathy followed by pharyngeal mass and dyspnea. 38.03 % of patients were asymptomatic. Of cases including initial treatment history, 94.44 % had a history of neck dissection. The transcervical approach was the most utilized to resect the tumors, although in recent years trans-oral robotic surgery (TORS) has also been used.

CONCLUSION

PTC metastatic to the retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal nodes is a rare occurrence that can be difficult to diagnose due its indolent nature.

[Research progress in the anatomy and surgical approach of the parapharyngeal space]

The parapharyngeal space, a complex fascial compartment within the head and neck region, encompasses crucial anatomical structures including blood vessels and nerves. Tumors occurring within this space are rare, with the majority being benign in nature. Surgical intervention remains the primary treatment modality; however, managing parapharyngeal space tumors poses significant challenges due to their intricate anatomical configuration. Conventional open surgical approaches have been associated with significant tissue damage and a high prevalence of postoperative complications. Recently, advancements in anatomical studies and surgical techniques have led to significant progress in understanding parapharyngeal space anatomy and improving surgical management. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of these developments.

Perception of Young European Otolaryngologists toward Transoral Robotic Surgery in Head and Neck Oncology and Surgery

Background: To investigate the perception of young European otolaryngologists (OTOs), i.e., head and neck surgeons, toward transoral robotic surgery (TORS). Methods: Members of the Young Confederation of European Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Young Otolaryngologists of International Federation of Otorhinolaryngological Societies were surveyed about TORS perception and practice. Results: The survey was completed by 120 young OTOS (26%). The most important barriers to TORS were robot availability (73%), cost (69%), and lack of training (37%). The participants believed that the main benefits include better surgical filed view (64%), shorter hospital stay (62%), and better postoperative outcomes (61%) than the conventional approach. Head and neck surgeons considered cT1-T2 oropharyngeal cancers (94%), resection of base of tongue for sleep apnea (86%), or primary unknown cancer (76%) as the most appropriate indications. A total of 67% of TORS surgeons assessed themselves as adequately trained in TORS. Conclusions: Young European OTOs report positive perception, adoption, and knowledge of TORS. The cost-related unavailability and the lack of training or access are reported to be the most important barriers for the spread of TORS.

Primary Pathology of the Parapharyngeal Space

The radiologically defined parapharyngeal space is a distinct location on cross-sectional imaging and is often described based on its displacement or invasion by tumors or other pathologies in adjacent spaces; however, there are multiple primary pathologic entities of the parapharyngeal space, which are often forgotten. Recognizing that a lesion is arising from the parapharyngeal space is important in generating an accurate differential diagnosis that will guide management.

Trends in the surgical management of parapharyngeal space tumors: A single-center retrospective analysis

PURPOSE

Surgery remains the mainstay treatment for parapharyngeal space (PPS) tumors. Given the rapid advance and increasing usage of endoscopic and robotic techniques, we aimed to investigate the surgical trends of PPS tumors in our institution and analyze their impact on patients' treatment outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All patients who underwent surgical resection of PPS tumors from 2014 to 2021 at the Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Hospital of Fudan University were retrospectively reviewed. Student's t-test, Chi-square test, and multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to compare the surgical outcomes between groups.

RESULT

Of the included 389 patients, the recipients of endoscopic surgery have largely increased in our center, with 17 of 134 cases (12.7%) in the group 2014-2017 and 187 of 255 cases (73.3%) in the group 2018-2021. The use of transoral and trans-nasal approaches increased in recent years (5.2% in 2014-2017 vs. 26.0% in 2018-2021), while that of trans-mandibular and lateral skull base approaches decreased (5.9% in 2014-2017 vs. 0.8% in 2018-2021). Decreased blood loss of operation and decreased risks of postoperative neurovascular complications were observed in the group 2018-2021. Similar findings were observed among patients receiving endoscopic surgery when compared with those receiving conventional surgery.

CONCLUSION

In our institution, the overall trends in the surgical management of PPS tumors moved towards minimally invasive approaches with the assistance of endoscopy or surgical robots. The two surgical techniques were feasible and safe, and to a great extent, contributed to the improved surgical outcomes we observed in recent years.

[Indications for resection of parapharyngeal space tumors by transoral robotic surgery and prevention and treatment of complications]

Objective:This study investigated the clinical indications, prevention and management of common complications of TORS resection of parapharyngeal space tumors. Methods:The clinical data of 23 patients with parapharyngeal space tumors treated with TORS in the Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University from July 2020 to February 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The surgical methods were divided into simple TORS surgery and TORS combined endoscopic or cervical surgery. The surgical incision can be directly sutured or partially sutured. If the surgical cavity is below the oropharyngeal plane and there is a risk of airway compression, preventive tracheotomy would be performed. No drainage（15 cases） or transnasal negative pressure drainage tube（8 cases） was placed in the operation cavity. In 17 cases, tumors were located between the top of nasopharynx and the lower boundary of oropharynx and these patients underwent simple TORS surgery; one case received combined cervical and endoscopic surgery, as the tumor was located near the skull base with unclear boundary with the deep lobe of parotid gland; five cases underwent combined endoscopic surgery, as the tumor reached the upper part of the nasopharynx or the outer part of the parapharyngeal space. Results:One case underwent emergency hemostasis for postoperative bleeding, and three cases underwent puncture and drainage for postoperative effusion. No complication occurred such as postoperative infection and airway obstruction. The healing grade of surgical incision and surgical cavity in transnasal drainage group was significantly better than that in non-drainage group. Conclusion:TORS operation is a safe and minimally invasive method in treating parapharyngeal space tumors with appropriate size and location. Postoperative effusion is a common complication after TORS. In case that surgical cavity extends to the deep parapharyngeal space or the lower part of the surgical cavity is beneath the surgical incision, the placement of transnasal negative pressure drainage tube after operation can improve postoperative recovery and reduce the incidence of complications such as effusion and infection.