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Updated: May 15, 2026
Lateral Molar Approach-Driven Transoral Endoscopic Procedure for Benign Infratemporal Fossa Tumor Resection
Published on: August 15, 2025
Outcome of resection of infratemporal fossa tumors
Babak Givi1, Jeffrey Liu, Mark Bilsky
1Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, New York University, New York, NY.
Background:
A variety of tumors arise in or extend to the infratemporal fossa. We investigated the outcome of surgical management of these tumors.
Methods:
We conducted a retrospective review of a craniofacial approach to resection of infratemporal fossa tumors from 1992 to 2008 in a cancer center.
Results:
Forty-three patients underwent resection of a infratemporal fossa tumors (68% men). Median age was 46 years (range, 1-81 years). The most common pathology was sarcoma (13; 30%). Twenty-two tumors (51%) were recurrent. Twenty patients (46%) underwent resection of tumors from the infratemporal fossa, 5 (12%) required resection of the anterior skull base, and 18 (42%) required orbital exenteration, additionally. Thirty-one patients (72%) required reconstruction with free tissue transfer. Twenty-seven patients (62.8%) required further treatment with radiation and/or chemotherapy. Complications occurred in 9 patients (21%). Six patients (14%) underwent salvage operations. Median follow-up was 24 months. Median overall survival and 3-year survival were 40 months and 59.6%.
Conclusion:
Tumors involving the infratemporal fossa can be resected with acceptable morbidity and long-term survival.
