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

Abstract

The aims of this study were to report our center's experience with infratemporal fossa (ITF) tumors, to review the treatment modalities and outcomes. Data of patients that underwent resection of ITF tumors in a single tertiary referral medical center were collected and analyzed. 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. Complete surgical resection of ITF involving tumors is feasible, providing good long-term survival. Multidisciplinary approach is the key for success.