Endoscopic Resection of Nasal Mucosal Melanoma Using Temporary Transseptal Access

Nasal mucosal melanoma (NMM) is a rare tumor with a poor prognosis. Although an endoscopic resection of malignant nasal tumor now becomes a treatment of choice when the surgical margin can be secured, it is still controversial. We report three cases of NMM that was successfully removed en bloc with clear margins by endoscopic surgery with temporal transseptal access. Cases of a 78-year-old woman, an 83-year-old man, and an 81-year-old man with NMM arising from the inferior turbinate who underwent endoscopic resection of the tumor are discussed in detail. We made temporal transseptal access using septal mucosal flaps. We moved the nasal cavity-occupying tumor to the contralateral side to create a working space to perform endoscopic en bloc resections. This technique is simple yet effective and less invasive than open craniofacial resections for removing malignancies arising from the inferior turbinate.