Access to the infratemporal fossa: A modified transzygomatic approach with preservation of masseter attachment and a long-term follow-up period.

This study aimed to introduce and evaluate the feasibility of a modified transzygomatic approach with preservation of masseter attachment for the management of infratemporal fossa tumors. This retrospective study included 20 patients treated at Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, between June 2007 and August 2017. Pre- and postoperative radiological findings (magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography) were obtained from all patients. During an average 67 months of follow-up, no clinical or radiographic signs were found of recurrence or absorption of zygomatic arch defects. The mean visual analog scale score changed from 5.5 preoperatively to 0.6 postoperatively (P<0.001), while the mean maximum inter-incisal opening improved from 21.5 mm preoperatively to 38.7 mm postoperatively (P<0.001). Thus, managing infratemporal lesions using the modified transzygomatic approach may provide functional and esthetically established outcomes.