Minimally Invasive Lateral Endoscopic Multiport Approach to the Infratemporal Fossa: A Cadaveric Study

Abstract

Background: Expanded endoscopic endonasal approaches to the infratemporal fossa (ITF) are increasingly performed owing to improved visualization and less morbidity compared with classic open approaches. Only a few studies in the literature investigated lateral endoscopic access to the ITF. The aim of this study was to examine the ITF with the minimally invasive endoscopically assisted Gillies approach with a trial of its expansion through a double port technique.

Methods: The ITF was examined in 10 sides of 5 cadaveric heads using a lateral endoscopic assisted approach. A double portal technique was developed to allow bimanual dissection. Specific long angled skull base instruments were used for dissection under stereotactic guidance.

Results: The endoscopic assisted Gillies approach permitted minimally invasive access to the complete anteroposterior extension of the ITF with sufficient mobility of surgical instruments. A new anatomic classification for the ITF from a lateral endoscopic perspective was introduced. The addition of the second port allowed bimanual dissection.

Conclusions: This cadaveric study shows the feasibility of an endoscopically assisted lateral approach to the ITF. The addition of a posterior port expands the approach through increasing the working area and enabling a bimanual dissection technique. Performed alone or combined with an anterior endoscopic transnasal approach, this technique offers minimally invasive access to the ITF. The development of specifically designed instruments would further improve this promising approach.