[Research advances on endoscopic surgical approach for infratemporal fossa tumors]

Abstract

The tumors occurring in infratemporal fossa （ITF） and parapharyngeal space account for 0.5%-1.0% of head and neck tumors, 80% of which are benign and 20% are malignant. At present, a variety of ITF surgical approaches have been described in domestic and foreign literatures. However, the selection of surgical approaches in clinical practice is still based on the habits and experience of the operators, there is still a lack of standardized clinical guidance. This article mainly introduces the advantages and disadvantages of the latest anatomical division of ITF and the corresponding endoscopic surgical approach as well as the research progress, so as to provide reference for the selection of the optimal surgical approach for ITF tumors.

Keywords: endoscopic surgical procedures; head and neck neoplasms; infratemporal fossa; parapharyngeal space; surgical approach.