Surgical Outcome of Mandibular Swing Approach for Infratemporal Fossa Tumors

Abstract

Introduction There are numerous approaches for infratemporal fossa tumors with their own pros and cons. Mandibular swing approach is simple and provides ample exposure. We describe 10 cases of these masses operated using this approach. Materials and Methods It was a retrospective study in the authors' institute from 2011 to 2015. Data were recorded for demography, clinical features, presentation time lag, approach taken, extent of resection, histopathology, functional outcome, complications including nerve paresis, infection, any other morbidity and mortality, radiotherapy applied, and recurrence. Results A total of 10 patients were operated. Average age of the patients was 33.5 years (standard deviation [SD], 9.33 years), and among the ten patients, six were female and four were male patients. Clinical features varied from cranial nerve paresis, facial swelling, trismus, and facial pain. Nine cases underwent primarily mandibular swing, out of which eight had complete resection of the mass. One other patient primarily underwent cervical approach with incomplete excision, and later the mandibular swing approach with complete excision of the tumor. Complications were transient with zero mortality. Conclusion Mandibular swing approach, in a selected group of patients, is safe and able to provide total excision of infratemporal fossa masses with minimal morbidity.