Esthetically Favorable Surgical Alternative for the Removal of Sinonasal Malignant Tumors-The Modified Facial Degloving Technique

Abstract

Purpose: The widely used external approach (Weber-Fergusson incision) for the removal of maxillary ethmoid tumors leaves stigmatizing scars and deformities on the patient's face. As an alternative technique, the scarless facial degloving approach was first described in the 1970s; since then, several modifications have been developed.

Patients and methods: The authors have been using a modified facial degloving technique for 7 years to remove maxillary ethmoid tumors. This article is a retrospective methodologic review. The inclusion criteria for this retrospective study were patients who underwent the modified facial degloving technique for management of malignant maxillary ethmoid tumors. The exclusion criteria were patients who did not undergo a surgical procedure (who received primary chemoradiation therapy) and patients who underwent an endoscopic surgical procedure for an early-stage localized tumor. The authors describe their method, which provides for a wide surgical approach using an osteoplastic flap for the entire nasal and paranasal region, with good cosmetic results. They present the adaptability of their method for 3 malignant maxillary ethmoid tumors in different locations.

Results: From 2012 through 2016, 23 consecutive patients underwent surgery with the modified facial degloving approach at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Szeged (Szeged, Hungary). The authors evaluated their results with acoustic rhinometry and photographic documentation of postoperative facial expressions. Neither narrowing of the nasal cavity on the operated side (loss of nasal breathing function) nor facial movement dysfunction was visible in these patients.

Conclusion: Although several modifications of the original facial degloving approach have been published, in the present technique, the novel osteoplastic flap and the intact soft tissue of the nasal and midfacial region result in shorter hospitalization time and fewer complications. No functional or esthetic distortion was visible. No severe complications were observed; the patients' only complaint was the dryness of the nasal mucosa and temporary crusting of the nose. The present modified facial degloving technique offers proper and safe surgical resection for tumors of the maxillary ethmoid region. It can be routinely combined with endoscopic techniques and, if necessary, can be converted to an open approach.