Double mandibular osteotomy technique with inferior alveolar neurovascular bundle preservation for improved access to tumors of the parapharyngeal space

Abstract

The parapharyngeal space harbors 0.5% of all head and neck neoplasms. The surgical approach is the primary difficulty during these tumors resection once superiorly the access becomes more restricted by the progressive encroachment of the mastoid process and the angle of the mandible. Different types of mandibulotomy performed to improve the access to the parapharyngeal space are described in the literature. The aim of this work is to describe the technique used during parapharyngeal space neoplasms resection when a wider access is necessary.