Radiotherapy Effects on Airway Management in Patients with Nasopharyngeal Cancer.

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology
• Otolaryngology
• Oncology

Background:

• Limited data exists on radiotherapy's impact on tracheal intubation in nasopharyngeal cancer patients.
• Radiotherapy may potentially complicate airway management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the incidence of difficult tracheal intubation in nasopharyngeal cancer patients post-radiotherapy.
• To assess airway management outcomes in nasopharyngeal cancer patients after radiotherapy.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of nasopharyngeal cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy and surgery (2012-2024).
• Evaluation of intubation techniques (direct laryngoscopy, videolaryngoscopy, fiberoptic intubation) and Cormack/Lehane grades.
• Analysis of radiotherapy doses to the larynx.

Main Results:

• 23 patients (mean age 52.9, 73.9% male, 65.2% ASA class III) were included.
• Mean laryngeal dose was 53.5 Gy, maximum 66.61 Gy.
• 87% of patients achieved successful first-attempt tracheal intubation, with 47.8% Cormack/Lehane grade I and 43.5% grade II.

Conclusions:

• Despite potential complications from radiotherapy, this study found no evidence of severe impairment in advanced airway management for nasopharyngeal cancer patients.
• Successful first-attempt intubation was high, suggesting radiotherapy does not preclude safe airway management.