Abstract
The infratemporal fossa (ITF) is a deep retromaxillary space corresponding to the inferior aspect of the middle cranial fossa. There are numerous surgical approaches, indicating the difficulty of access, accentuated by the communications with the neighboring regions. The aim of this anatomical study was the optimization and photographic demonstration of the pre-auricular infra-temporal trans-zygomatic approach combined with a trans-mandibular approach allowing access to the different regions of the ITF. Six human heads preserved in formalin were dissected under the operating microscope (magnification between ×6 and ×4). Intra-arterial injection of colored silicone had been done in advance. A plastinated hemi-head was conserved as a teaching and training specimen using the S10 silicone technique. After a pre-auricular temporo-cervical incision, skin flaps, the superficial temporalis fascia and the temporal fascia were elevated. The facial nerve and its branches were preserved and the temporal and zygomatic branches were protected by the superficial temporalis fascia. The division of the temporal muscle and osteotomy of the zygomatic arch opened the superior part of the ITF. Osteotomy of the mandibular ramus preserving the division of the mandibular nerve opened the inferior part of the ITF. This was thus perfectly exposed and access was not impeded by the trunk of the facial nerve and its branches. The place of this complex approach is discussed among the principal exocranial surgical approaches to the ITF.
Résumé
La fosse infra-temporale (FIT) est un espace rétro-maxillaire profond répondant à la face inférieure de la fosse crânienne moyenne. Ses voies d'abord sont nombreuses, ce qui traduit sa difficulté d'accès, accentuée par ses communications avec les régions de voisinage. Le but de ce travail anatomique était l'optimisation et la démonstration photographique de la voie pré-auriculaire infra-temporale trans-zygomatique combinée à un abord trans-mandibulaire permettant le contrôle des différentes sous-régions de la FIT. Six pièces anatomiques céphaliques humaines entières formolées ont été disséquées sous microscope opératoire (grossissement variable de ×6 à ×40). Une injection intra-artérielle de silicone coloré a été préalablement réalisée. Une hémi-tête plastinée a été conservée comme matériel pédagogique et d'entraînement, en utilisant la technique S10 au silicone. Après l'incision pré-auriculaire temporo-cervicale, la dissection séparait le lambeau cutané, le fascia temporalis superficialis et le fascia temporal. Le nerf facial et ses rameaux étaient préservés et les rameaux temporaux et zygomatiques étaient protégés par le fascia superficialis temporalis. La section du muscle temporal et l'ostéotomie de l'arcade zygomatique ouvrait la partie supérieure de la FIT; l'ostéotomie du ramus mandibulaire préservant la division du nerf mandibulaire ouvrait la partie inférieure de la FIT. Celle-ci était ainsi parfaitement exposée et l'accès n'était barré que par le tronc du nerf facial et ses rameaux. La place de cet abord complexe est discutée parmi les principales voies d'abord exo-crâniennes de la FIT.
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Prades, JM., Timoshenko, A., Merzougui, N. et al. A cadaveric study of a combined trans-mandibular and trans-zygomatic approach to the infratemporal fossa. Surg Radiol Anat 25, 180–187 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-003-0126-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-003-0126-x