Hikari Shimoda1, Koichiro Yonezawa1, Hirotaka Shinomiya1, Naoki Otsuki1, Kazunobu Hashikawa2, Ryohei Sasaki3, Eiji Komura4, Ken-Ichi Nibu1. 1. Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan. 2. Department of Plastic Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan. 3. Department of Radiation Oncology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan. 4. Department of Neurosurgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Extirpation of tumors arising in the pterygopalatine fossa is challenging because of its anatomic complexity. METHODS AND RESULTS: A 67-year-old man was referred to our department with a diagnosis of a tumor in his left pterygoid fossa. An incisional biopsy through the canine fossa was diagnosed as myxofibrosarcoma. The upper part of the maxilla was swung laterally to remove the tumor while the hard plate was preserved. The defect was reconstructed using rectus abdominis musculocutaneous free and ipsilateral temporal. The postoperative course was uneventful, without facial palsy or mastication disorders. CONCLUSION: Our experience with this case suggests that the modified partial maxillary swing approach with preservation of the hard palate and orbital floor in combination with infratemporal and cervical approaches is useful for lesions in the pterygoid process without causing severe complications.
BACKGROUND: Extirpation of tumors arising in the pterygopalatine fossa is challenging because of its anatomic complexity. METHODS AND RESULTS: A 67-year-old man was referred to our department with a diagnosis of a tumor in his left pterygoid fossa. An incisional biopsy through the canine fossa was diagnosed as myxofibrosarcoma. The upper part of the maxilla was swung laterally to remove the tumor while the hard plate was preserved. The defect was reconstructed using rectus abdominis musculocutaneous free and ipsilateral temporal. The postoperative course was uneventful, without facial palsy or mastication disorders. CONCLUSION: Our experience with this case suggests that the modified partial maxillary swing approach with preservation of the hard palate and orbital floor in combination with infratemporal and cervical approaches is useful for lesions in the pterygoid process without causing severe complications.