[Endoscopic surgery using the low-temperature plasma radiofrequency for nasopharyngeal angiofibroma].

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of endoscopic surgery using the low-temperature plasma radiofrequency for nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (NA).
Methods: The clinical data of 4 patients treated between December 2005 and August 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. The tumor in one patient was at stage I and three patients were at stage II, all these patients were treated by endoscopic surgery using the low-temperature plasma radiofrequency under controlled hypotension anesthesia. Preoperative angiography and embolisation were underwent in all patients. Bipolar coagulation was used to help hemostasis during operation.
Results: The tumor in all 4 patients was completely removed. The operation time was 60, 80, 110, 90 min respectively. The blood loss was 250, 250, 320, 280 ml respectively. Neither blood transfusion nor complications were encountered perioperatively. Follow-up ranged from 6 months to 4 years, none of the patients recurred.
Conclusions: Endoscopic surgery using low-temperature plasma radiofrequency for nasopharyngeal angiofibroma has many advantages such as less bleeding and total tumor removal. It is a minimally invasive surgical method for nasopharyngeal angiofibroma.