New Anterior Surgical Approach to Pterygopalatine Fossa for Resection of Oral Cancer

OBJECTIVE: A new anterior surgical approach for resecting oral cancers that invade the pterygopalatine fossa was presented for clinical N0 cases. METHODS: The facial incision included the nasolabial fold and the groove on the inferior border of the orbital fossa to prevent facial deformity due to a surgical scar. In addition, the inferior part of the zygomatic eminence and the anterior part of the masseter muscle were removed, while the zygomatic arch was preserved. The mandibular coronoid process is cut and retracted superiorly along with a portion of the temporal muscle. RESULTS: This technique resulted in sufficient exposure of the pterygopalatine fossa, minimal facial deformity, and good postoperative facial contour. CONCLUSION: This technique is quite useful for resecting oral cancers that invade the pterygopalatine fossa when neck dissection and/or reconstruction using free or pedicle flaps are not required.