Evaluation of surgical approaches to infratemporal and pterygopalatine fossae

Abstract

Abstract Background Tumors in the pterygopalatine fossa (PPF) and infratemporal fossa (ITF) are still challenging to surgeons because of their deep location and proximity to various arteries and cranial nerves. This study aimed to evaluate the access to infratemporal fossa and pterygopalatine fossa through anterior transmaxillary, modified endoscopic transnasal transmaxillary approaches. The study was a prospective comparative study conducted on 20 patients having a mass in pterygopalatine or infratemporal fossa. History, examination, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging were performed for all patients. Nine patients were operated with anterior transmaxillary approach and eleven patients were operated with endoscopic transnasal transmaxillary approach. The operative duration, intraoperative blood loss, and operative difficulty were assessed. Patients were assessed 1 week postoperatively using a nasal surgical questionnaire for postoperative nasal symptoms. Endoscopic assessment of the nose was done 1 week postoperative to assess the degree of crusting and 4 weeks postoperative to assess nasal adhesions. Postoperative complications were assessed for both groups. Results There was a significant difference between the two groups regarding operative duration and blood loss favoring the endoscopic group. There was a non-significant difference between the two groups regarding operative difficulty. There was a significant difference between the two groups regarding nasal obstruction, crustation, bleeding, sneezing, secretion, and nasal pain. There was a significant difference between the two groups regarding the endoscopic assessment for nasal crusting and adhesions. Facial swelling and numbness of the face were significantly more in the open group compared with the endoscopic group. Conclusion Endoscopic endonasal transmaxillary approach had less trauma and lower complication rate while anterior transmaxillary was technically feasible and offered excellent surgical access with easy lateral expansion toward the infratemporal fossa. Both approaches had comparable operative difficulty and acceptable postoperative quality of life.