Abstract:

Objective　To analyze the best approach for treatment of tumors in the pterygopalatine fossa and its contiguous region.　Methods　The data of 108 cases of tumors in the pterygopalatine fossa and its contiguous region were analyzed retrospectively.　Results　In 85 cases of benign tumors with 0.5 to 5 years follow-up, no recurrencewas  bserved. In 23 cases of malignant tumors with 0.5 to 5 years follow-up, survival times after radiotherapy were : less than one year for 6 cases, 1 to 4 years for 8 cases,more than 5 years for 11 cases.　Conclusion  (1) Lateral rhinotomy with partial resection of maxilla can be adopted forprimary ethmoid and maxillary sinus tumors. (2) Extended maxillectomy can be adopted for primary maxillary sinus malignant tumors with pterygopalatine fossa or its contiguous region involvement. (3) Midfacial degloving operation issuitable for primary benign or low-grade malignant maxillary sinus t tumors with involvement of the pterygopalatine fossa or its contiguous region. (4) Temporal zygomatic approach can be adopted for tumors in the pterygopalatine fossa or its contiguous region with involvement of the infratemporal fossa (5) Transcervical maxillary approach can beadopted for  primary parapharyngeal space tumors with pterygopalatine fossa or its contiguous region involved. (6) Sagittal split ramus osteotomy can be adopted for tumors inpterygopalatine fossa and its contiguous region with the infratemporal fossa, the prevertebral space and the skull base involved. (7) Transoral approach can be adopted forobenign tumors in the nasopharynx and pterygopalatine fossa, and low-grade malignant tumors with the pterygopalatine fossa or its contiguous region involved. (8) Nasal endoscopeapproach can be adopted for benign tumors in the nasopharynx and pterygopalatine fossa, and low-grade malignant tumors with pterygopalatine fossa or its contiguous regioninvolved.

Key words: Pterygopalatine fossa, Parapharyngeal space, Head and neck neoplasms, Surgery