Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 26, 2026
Lateral Molar Approach-Driven Transoral Endoscopic Procedure for Benign Infratemporal Fossa Tumor Resection
Published on: August 15, 2025
Modified endoscopic transnasal-transmaxillary-transpterygoid approach to parapharyngeal space tumor resection
Koichiro Wasano1,2, Sayuri Yamamoto1, Shuta Tomisato1
1Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Japanese Red Cross Shizuoka Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan.
Background:
Conventional approaches for removing parapharyngeal space tumors require a cervical skin incision and resection of soft tissues between the skin and parapharyngeal space. The surgical visual field for this conventional approach is limited.
Methods:
To decrease invasiveness during removal of benign parapharyngeal space tumors and to enhance the visual field, we devised a new approach called the modified endoscopic transnasal-transmaxillary-transpterygoid approach (MENMAP). The "surgical corridor" to the parapharyngeal space consists of the maxillary sinus, submucous tunnel under the lateral nasal wall, and the space created by removing the pterygoid process.
Results:
We successfully performed en bloc removal of a parapharyngeal space tumor using the MENMAP approach. The only surgical complication was hypoesthesia of the right hard palate and maxillary gingiva, which gradually improved.
Conclusion:
The MENMAP approach is a viable alternative for removing parapharyngeal space tumors, as it is safe, feasible, and less invasive. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: 933-938, 2016.
