title: Partial maxillary swing approach for removal of the tumors in the retromaxillary area.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Removal of tumors around the pterygoid process poses difficult challenges. Our method for removal of tumors in this area using a modification of the maxillary swing approach is reported.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study of five cases was performed using the partial maxillary swing approach. Like the "maxillary swing approach", the maxilla is swung laterally with the facial skin; however, only two-thirds of the anterior maxillary bone is swung.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All tumors were safely removed using the partial maxillary swing approach alone, with the exception of one patient who needed an additional mandibular swing. No facial palsy, masticatory problems or necrosis of the maxilla were observed in any cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The partial maxillary swing approach offers a wide surgical field of the lesion around the posterior part of the maxilla and pterygoid process without severe complications and is useful for removal of tumors in these areas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan. sumi.oto@tmd.ac.jp
authors.forename: Takuro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sumi
authors.forename: Atsunobu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tsunoda
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shirakura
authors.forename: Seiji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kishimoto
mesh_terms: D008949:Adenoma, Pleomorphic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008437:Maxilla / Q000601:surgery*; D008441:Maxillary Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D010027:Osteotomy; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D010157:Palatal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012888:Skull Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D013100:Sphenoid Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome