[Midfacial degloving: an alternative approach to the frontobasal area, the nasal cavity and the paranasal sinuses].

Midfacial degloving can be characterized as an alternative surgical approach for exposing the bony structures of the midface. In combination with transient partial osteotomies the nasal cavities, the paranasal sinuses, the pterygopalatine fossa and the posterior parts of the anterior skull base are easily accessible. Using an intercartilaginous, a transseptal and a circumvestibular incision in the nose and a vestibular incision in the oral cavity the soft tissues of the upper face are mobilized and transposed cranially up to the infraorbital rim, the nasion and the lacrimal sac. Thus one can avoid scar formations in the face. In comparison with the common visible incisions in the face a bilateral exposure of midline structures is possible. The resected bone can be easily replaced and fixed with titanium miniplates for osteosynthesis. The soft tissue glove is replaced. A correct suture technique for readaptation especially in the nasal cavity is most important to avoid a circular stenosis of the nasal aperture. Between 1986 and 1991, 40 patients with various tumors (juvenile angiofibroma, inverted papilloma, esthesioneuroblastoma, squamous cell carcinoma of the maxillary sinus, benign tumors of the pterygopalatine fossa, clivus chordoma) underwent this procedure. Neoplasms and fractures of the anterior frontal skull base, the frontal sinus, the orbital cavity and the zygoma were less accessible due to the unsatisfactory exposure of these regions. Complications and side effects were rare. In five cases, a transient paresthesia of the infraorbital nerve and a facial edema were observed. In one case, a circular stenosis of the nasal aperture required a second plastic procedure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)