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Published in: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 3/2009

01-09-2009 | Original Article

An intraoral surgical approach to the styloid process in Eagle’s syndrome

Authors: Bruno Ramos Chrcanovic, Antônio Luís Neto Custódio, Davidson Rodarte Felix de Oliveira

Published in: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery | Issue 3/2009

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to present an alternative method to the extraoral surgical approach to remove the elongated styloid process, the intraoral surgical approach, and discuss their advantages and disadvantages. A literature review is also presented.

Patients and methods

A casuistic of intraoral surgical approach to remove the elongated styloid process is presented in five patients.

Results

Four patients experienced postoperative moderate pain and trismus for 1 week. Bilateral surgery in one patient caused severe trismus, great discomfort, and moderate difficulty in breathing. All were followed up for 6 months and showed complete relief of the oral pharyngeal symptoms and complete improvement in functional ability.

Discussion

The advantages of the external approach are good visualization and reduced possibility of deep neck space infection. The disadvantages are an external scar, longer duration of surgery, and risk of injury to the facial nerve. The advantages of the intraoral approach are that the method is safe, simple, and less time consuming and an external scar is avoided. The disadvantages are possible infection of deep neck spaces, risk of injury to major vessels, and poor visualization.

Conclusions

Intraoral resection of the styloid process is a safe treatment technique of Eagle’s syndrome. It is not recommended the bilateral intervention at the same surgery, because of possible great discomfort at postoperative time.
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Metadata
Title
An intraoral surgical approach to the styloid process in Eagle’s syndrome
Authors
Bruno Ramos Chrcanovic
Antônio Luís Neto Custódio
Davidson Rodarte Felix de Oliveira
Publication date
01-09-2009
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery / Issue 3/2009
Print ISSN: 1865-1550
Electronic ISSN: 1865-1569
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10006-009-0164-6

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