Surgical approaches for infratemporal fossa tumor resection: Fifteen years' experience of a single center.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to report our center's experience with infratemporal fossa (ITF) tumors, to review the treatment modalities and outcomes. METHODS: Data of patients that underwent resection of ITF tumors in a single tertiary referral medical center were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Sixty-three patients were included. Sarcoma was the most common pathology (18; 29%). The most common surgical approach was the preauricular-orbitozygomatic approach (24; 38%), followed by endoscopic, craniofacial resection, and combined approaches. Forty-seven patients (75%) required reconstruction, 23 (49%) involving free tissue transfer. Thirty-five patients (76%) with malignant lesions required adjuvant therapy consisting of radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or both. Thirty-three patients suffered from complications related to surgery or adjuvant therapy. The three- and five-years survival rates for malignancy were 82% and 66%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Complete surgical resection of ITF involving tumors is feasible, providing good long-term survival. Multidisciplinary approach is the key for success.