Abstract: ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy and feasibility of endoscopic transoral approach for dissection of residual or recurrent lymph node in parapharyngeal space of postirradiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients.MethodsClinical data of 12 postirradiated NPC patients with residual or recurrent parapharyngeal lymph nodes hospitalized in our department between March 2015 and Oct 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. All patients received preoperative imaging examination for diagnosis and surgical dissection of residual or recurrent lymph nodes via endoscopic transoral approach. To 7 cases with residual or recurrent NPC, simultaneous nasopharyngealskull base tumor resection was performed.ResultsSurgical dissection of residual or recurrent parapharyngeal lymph node was accomplished successfully via endoscopic transoral approach in all 12 patients (13 sides). No postoperative complications such as hoarseness, coughing and internal carotid artery injury occurred. Intraoral incision infection in one case and seam slippage in another got recovered after symptomatic treatment. All patients had been followed up until March 2018, with a median followup duration of 23 months (rangeed from 6 to 36 months). All patients had no recurrent metastasis in the parapharyngeal space.ConclusionWith advantages of less trauma, few complications, and rapid postoperative recovery, dissection of residual or recurrent lymph node in parapharyngeal space of postirradiated NPC patients can be achived effectively via endoscopic transoral approach, which is worth clinical application.