Modified partial maxillary swing approach for myxofibrosarcoma in pterygopalatine fossa.

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. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E2519-E2522, 2016.