Tumors and surgery of the parapharyngeal space

The parapharyngeal space, an area of complex anatomic relationships, is involved in a wide variety of benign and malignant neoplasms. Because primary parapharyngeal space tumors are rare, it is difficult to obtain surgical experience in this region. This paper reviews the anatomy, presentation, evaluation, surgical approaches, and pathologic features and complications reported in managing patients with parapharyngeal space neoplasms. Two surgical procedures have been used by the author to treat 44 tumors in the parapharyngeal space. The cervical-parotid approach was used in 35 patients, and the cervical-parotid approach with midline mandibulotomy was used in 9 patients. Of the 44 tumors, 32 were benign lesions and 12 were malignant neoplasms. Forty tumors were primary parapharyngeal space tumors, and 4 cases represented isolated metastases to parapharyngeal nodes. Recurrent tumors accounted for 12 of the 44 cases. Discussion of the indications, surgical technique, and select points pertinent to using these two operative procedures is based on the operative experience gained from these 44 patients. The use of these two operations resulted in low morbidity and provided a safe, efficacious approach to the management of all parapharyngeal space neoplasms encountered.