Our experience in petroclival lesions using a contralateral transmaxillary approach

Petroclival lesions represent a surgical challenge during the endonasal endoscopic approach, as they may involve maneuvers with severe comorbidity. To avoid the morbidity caused by these maneuvers, a contralateral transmaxillary approach (CTA) has been proposed to complement the endoscopic endonasal approach. The aim of our study is to review the safety and efficacy of this approach.

We included three patients with lesions affecting the petroclival region, one cholesterol granuloma and two macroadenomas, who were surgically treated with a combined ipsilateral transpterygoid approach and a CTA. The latter was performed by wide osteotomy on the anterior wall of the maxillary sinus through a gingivolabial incision.

Complete resection was achieved in the patient with a cholesterol granuloma and subtotal resection in the two patients diagnosed with macroadenoma. One patient presented ecchymosis of the malar area as the only complication.

The contralateral transmaxillary approach may improve exposure and dissection of the petroclival area compared to the homolateral endoscopic endonasal approach allowing reaching the most lateral and posterior region of this territory without the need to manipulate the internal carotid artery.