Critical look at the surgical approaches of nasopharyngeal angiofibroma excision and "total maxillary swing" as a possible alternative

Novel Modifications to Total Maxillary Swing Approach in Extensive Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma to Minimize Complications

Maxillary swing approaches provide excellent exposure of the anterior, mid, and anterolateral skull base offering a wide window to approach nasopharyngeal neoplasms; however, they are also associated with complications. The present study aimed to evaluate the results of a modified total maxillary swing (TMS) approach developed to minimize postoperative complications. The modified TMS approach was used to treat five patients who had extensive juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas between March and October 2019 at our tertiary care center. Surgical technique, preoperative image findings, and intra-operative findings were recorded. In the postoperative follow-up, patients were examined to rule out all possible complications associated with the procedure according to the literature. A retrospective analysis was performed to assess tumor extensions, surgical modifications, and postoperative complications. All tumors had orbital and infratemporal (lateral limit) involvement while four had intracranial involvement. No per-operative complications were reported, and postoperative clinical and endoscopic evaluation was performed at 1, 2, and 3 months. There was no evidence of complications including residue, recurrence, maxillary necrosis, ophthalmoplegia, epiphora, palatal fistula, or jaw malocclusion. Besides, minor complications such as infraorbital margin skin retraction, infraorbital serous collection, maxillo-zygomatic abscess, and unsightly scar were also not seen. Only one case presented with maxillary osteomyelitis which was resolved with mini-plate removal and antibiotics. A modified TMS approach is a prudent option to ensure complete removal of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas with negligible complications.

Total maxillary swing approach to the skull base for advanced intracranial and extracranial nasopharyngeal angiofibroma

The main objective of surgical approaches to the anterior and anterolateral skull base is to have maximum exposure so injury to important structures is avoided, and surgical complications are reduced. At our institution, we used total maxillary swing (TMS) to approach the anterior and anterolateral skull base for resection of both malignant and benign tumors. We modified some of the techniques described in TMS to avoid complications encountered previously. The purpose of this article was to present the usefulness of TMS for maximum exposure of the anterior and anterolateral skull base using advanced nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (NPA) as the reference disease.We retrospectively reviewed 16 patients who underwent excision of NPA by TMS from 2005 to May 2011. The operative techniques, operative findings, postoperative complications, and follow-up records were reviewed and analyzed.Of the 16 cases of NPA, 5 had intracranial extensions. All had lateral extensions to the pterygopalatine fossa. The pterygoid base was explored in all cases. In 10 cases, the tumors were present in the spongy bone of the pterygoid bases, whereas in 6 cases, the base of the pterygoids was eroded and floating. In all cases, the tumor was completely removed. Complications encountered previously were avoided by the modifications to TMS. Complications encountered because of extensiveness of the tumor were easily managed. No patients had any recurrence until now.Total maxillary swing provides maximum exposure to the anterior and anterolateral skull base for complete removal of the tumors in those areas with minimal complications.

The changing surgical management of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma

The management of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) has changed during the last decades but it still continues to be a challenge for the multidisciplinary head and neck surgical team. The aim of this study was to review the used treatment approach and outcome of JNA in a single institution series of 27 patients diagnosed and treated during the years 1970-2009. All patients were male, with the median age of 17 years (range 11-33 years). Surgery was used as the primary treatment in every case. Surgical approaches varied, transpalatal approach (N = 14) being the most common approach used in this series. During the last decade various other techniques were applied, including endoscopic (N = 3) resection. Two patients were additionally treated with antiangiogenic agents and one patient with stereotactic radiotherapy. The primary recurrence rate was 37% and it seemed to correlate with vascular density of tumour and the surgical approach used. We suggest that the management of JNA should be planned by an experienced head and neck surgeon, as part of a multidisciplinary team, preferably in a tertiary referral setting, and the recent development of the available therapies should be taken into account to minimise the risk of recurrence.