Approaches for Excision of Intramasseteric Nodules

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Head and Neck Surgery
• Surgical Oncology

Background:

• Developmental lesions in the masseteric region are rare, encompassing benign and malignant tumors.
• Evaluating surgical approaches is crucial for optimal patient outcomes.

Observation:

• A retrospective study compared surgical methods for intramasseteric mass lesions in 4 patients.
• Surgical approaches included skin flap elevation (3 patients) and direct incisional resection (1 patient).
• Incisional biopsy was performed in 2 patients to rule out malignancy prior to complete excision.

Findings:

• The final diagnoses were hemangioma (3 patients) and schwannoma (1 patient).
• All patients reported satisfaction with aesthetic results, with no major postoperative complications.
• Surgery involving skin flap elevation demonstrated superior technical and cosmetic outcomes.

Implications:

• Skin flap elevation is recommended as the preferred surgical approach for masseteric region lesions.
• Direct incisional biopsy remains essential for excluding malignancy when indicated.
• This study provides valuable insights for managing rare masseteric tumors, balancing oncologic safety with aesthetic considerations.