The midfacial degloving approach to sinonasal disease

The midfacial degloving approach was first described by Casson et al. in 1974 but despite a number of papers in the American literature advocating its use, it has not gained popularity in Europe. The advantages and application of the technique are presented in 36 patients, ranging from 7-78 years of age. The approach is ideally suited for extensive benign lesions in the nasal cavity, ethmoid and sphenoid sinuses and enables access to the nasopharynx and infratemporal fossa whilst avoiding an external incision. These lesions have included angiofibroma (13 cases), inverted papilloma (five cases), a variety of cysts (three cases) and six miscellaneous cases of benign pathology. Malignant lesions which have not breached the anterior cranial fossa may also be removed, up to and including bilateral maxillectomy (nine cases) and this can be combined with orbital clearance. The approach may be repeated if necessary and is associated with few significant complications though vestibular stenosis, oro-antral fistula, nasolacrimal damage and upward rotation of the nasal tip may occur. Strategies to avoid these problems can be undertaken and long-term cosmetic results are excellent.