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Updated: Dec 23, 2025
Lateral Molar Approach-Driven Transoral Endoscopic Procedure for Benign Infratemporal Fossa Tumor Resection
Published on: August 15, 2025
An extremely rare case of a displaced third molar into the infratemporal fossa associated with a textiloma
T Mace1, A Kahn1, P Dechaufour1
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial surgery, CHU d'Angers, 4, rue Larrey, 49933 Angers cedex, France.
Background:
Third molar extraction is one of the most common procedures performed by oral surgeons, however with rare complications. The accidental displacement of a maxillary third molar into the infratemporal fossa (ITF) is a rare complication that can occur even with experienced surgeons.
Case Presentation:
We describe the case of a 17-year-old patient whose right upper third molar was accidentally pushed to the ITF associated with a cellulitis and the late discovery of a textiloma (a surgical gauze).
Conclusions:
Extraction of third molars is a safe surgical procedure when performed in appropriate conditions. The diagnosis of textiloma following a maxillo-facial surgery is extremely rare. It is important to take into account this possibility in order to avoid delaying treatment when it occurs.