Total Maxillectomy, Orbital Exenteration
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2025-05-19
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Open Access Atlas of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Operative Surgery
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University of Cape Town
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Abstract
Total maxillectomy refers to surgical resection of the entire maxilla. Resection includes the floor and medial wall of the orbit and the ethmoid sinuses. The surgery may be extended to include orbital exenteration and sphenoidectomy, and resection of the pterygoid plates. It is generally indicated for malignancy involving the maxillary sinus, maxillary bone (sarcomas) and/ or orbit and ethmoids, not amenable to lesser or endoscopic resection. Total maxillectomy is potentially complicated by injury to the orbital contents, lacrimal drainage, optic nerve, ethmoidal arteries, intracranial contents, and may be accompanied by brisk bleeding. A sound understanding of the 3-dimensional anatomy of the maxilla and the surrounding structures is therefore essential. Hence the detailed description of the surgical anatomy that follows.
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Fagan, J. 2025. Total Maxillectomy, Orbital Exenteration. In Open Access Atlas of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Operative Surgery. J. Fagan, Ed.Cape Town, South Africa: University of Cape Town. 19. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43519 .