title: [Endoscopic transnasal prelacrimal recess-maxillary sinus approach for tumors in the pterygopalatine fossa].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the application of endoscopic transnasal prelacrimal recess-maxillary sinus approach in surgery for lesions in the pterygopalatine fossa.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five patients with tumors of pterygopalatine fossa were treated by endoscopic transnasal prelacrimal recess-maxillary sinus surgery between May 2008 and May 2011. The lesions treated included 4 schwannoma. and 1 neurofibroma. The operation began with endoscopic transnasal lateral nasal wall approach to maxillary sinus. Then after opening posterior wall of maxillary sinus, the pterygopalatine fossa was entered and the tumor was removed. The operation was performed under hypotension anaesthesia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The tumors were removed totally in all 5 patients. No complication was found. After the surgery, all patients fully recovered and were discharged from the hospital in 5 to 12 days. No recurrence and death occurred during the follow up periods ranging from 5 to 28 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endoscopic transnasal prelacrimal recess-maxillary sinus approach is safe and effective management for benign tumors in the pterygopalatine fossa. This approach reserved nasolacrimal duct and turbinate, maintained the structure and function of the nose, with decreased morbidity and shorter recovery periods.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital, Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230001, China.
authors.forename: Yuan-zhi
authors.initials: YZ
authors.lastname: Bie
authors.forename: Jing-wu
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Jia-qiang
authors.initials: JQ
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Guo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008443:Maxillary Sinus / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000601:surgery*; D056739:Pterygopalatine Fossa; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012888:Skull Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*