title: Modified intraoral approach for removal of an elongated styloid process.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To decrease the postoperative pain and the probability of intraoperative complications during intraoral removal of an elongated styloid process.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-seven patients with 45 elongated styloid processes underwent surgery. There were 24 females and 3 males, with a mean age of 47.1 years. A simple visual analogue scale was used to assess pre- and postoperative pain. The length and medial and anterior angulation of each process were measured on lateral skull and Towne projection. During the surgery, after tonsillectomy was performed, the styloid process was identified and the process was stripped off proximally using a ring curette. The muscles and ligaments were in continuity with the periosteum, and attachments to the periostem were not disrupted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No intraoperative complications were seen. Only 2 of 45 procedures did not result in a decrease in pain, and a success rate of 95.6% was achieved by this modified surgical method.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Excision of the styloid process without disturbing the attachments of the muscles and ligaments to the periosteum of the process is an important factor in relieving postoperative pain and complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, Adana Teaching and Medical Research Center, Baraj Yolu, 1. Durak, Seyhan, Adana, Turkey. dr_halukyavuz@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Haluk
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yavuz
authors.forename: Fatma
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Caylakli
authors.forename: Alper Nabi
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Erkan
authors.forename: Levent Naci
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Ozluoglu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D009999:Ossification, Heterotopic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult