Naples – A delicate surgical procedure saved the life of a one-year-old girl suffering from a retropharyngeal tumor that prevented her from breathing and feeding.
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The operation, performed by theSantobono Plastic Surgery team in collaboration with the Maxillofacial Surgery of the Polyclinic of Bari, allowed the complete removal of the mass without complications.
Diagnosis and worsening of the disease
The first signs of the disease emerged last October, when the little girl began to show symptoms breathing problems and difficulty swallowing, initially attributed to an enlargement of the adenoids.
Over time, the conditions worsened to the point of causing a worrying weight loss. After careful examinations, the doctors diagnosed a retropharyngeal neoplasia, which extended from the base of the skull to the neck, with adhesions to tonsils, carotids and lingual and hypoglossal nerves.
First treated with chemotherapy at the hospital Pausilipon, the little girl had to undergo a tracheostomy and a life-saving gastrostomy, due to further growth of the mass. At that point, the only possible option was surgery.
A complex and successful operation
The intervention, carried out under the direction of Dr. Marcello Zamparelli and Professor Chiara Copelli, has proven to be particularly complex for the location of the tumor and its size (8 cm in diameter). To access the mass, surgeons had to open the jaw like a book and then reconstruct it with plates and screws..
“The operation, which lasted six hours, allowed the total removal of the tumor without compromising the functionality of the jaw and the organs involved”, explained Dr. Zamparelli. Professor Copelli added: “The proximity of the mass to vital structures such as the carotid artery and jugular vein made the operation extremely delicate, but everything went without complications”.
Recovery and collaboration between hospitals
Il post-operative course is regular: the little girl is starting the progressive weaning from tracheostomy and continues feeding via gastrostomy to regain weight.
Satisfied Rodolfo Conenna, general manager of Aorn Santobono-Pausilipon, who underlined the importance of synergy between the two hospitals: “A very delicate case, addressed with great professionalism in all phases. The collaboration with the Maxillofacial Surgery of the Policlinico of Bari is proving invaluable in treating complex cases with innovative approaches”.
even the General Director of the Polyclinic of Bari, Antonio Sanguedolce, praised the teamwork: “We provided all the necessary support to ensure timely intervention and restore hope to the little patient”.
Thanks to aexcellent medical collaboration, the little girl now has the opportunity to look to the future with renewed hope.
Article published on March 20, 2025 - 12pm
