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New approach to the nasopharynx: The maxillary swing approach
Author(s) -
Wei William L.,
Lam Kam H.,
Sham Jonathan S. T.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.2880130306
Subject(s) - trismus , maxilla , medicine , cheek , dentistry , surgery , orthodontics
A new approach to expose the nasopharynx and the parana sopharyngeal space is described. The maxilla, severed from its bony connections, is swung laterally to provide exposure of the nasopharynx. Tumors in the nasopharynx and the paranasopha ryngeal space can be adequately resected and tubings for after loading brachytherapy can be positioned accurately during surgery. The blood supply of the maxilla is from the attached cheek flap and masseter muscle. Three illustrative cases are presented. The wounds in all of them healed primarily with minimal morbidity. The only disadvantage is the development of mild trismus, which responded to conservative treatment.