[Investigation of the surgical approach for resecting infratemporal fossa pterygomaxillary fossa-parapharyngeal space tumor].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the optimal surgical approach for resecting infratemporal fossa-pterygomaxillary fossa-parapharyngeal space tumor. The aim of this study is to enhance therapeutic effect and reduce complications and sequelae. METHOD: Sixty-six patients with infratemporal fossa-pterygomaxillary fossa-parapharyngeal space tumor were analyzed retrospectively from 1998-2004, including complains, symptoms, physical signs; histodiagnosis, image examinations and surgical approaches. RESULT: No recurrence was found in fifty benign tumor cases after 2 to 5 years, while in 16 cases with malignant tumor, four patients died in one year, 8 cases died in 2 to 4 years, and only 4 patients' survival time exceeded 4 years. CONCLUSION: Extended maxillectomy is suitable for resecting primary carcinoma of maxillary sinus invading pterygomaxillary fossa, infratemporal fossa and /or parapharyngeal space tumor. also midface degloving approach is suitable for nasal primary cavity, nasal sinuses, nasopharynx and/or pterygomaxillary fossa tumor and localized malignant tumor. Trans-cervical combining mandibular split swing approach is suitable for parapharyngeal space tumor invading pterygomaxillary fossa and/or infratemporal fossa tumor. Trans-cervical jaw combining mandibulotomy is suitable for resecting parapharyngeal space, infratemporal fossa tumor for invading lateral skull base and pterygomaxillary fossa tumor.