Removal of foreign body in the lateral pharyngeal space via transtonsillar approach

ABSTRACT

Lateral pharyngeal space is one of potential fascial planes of head and neck, that may become involved by various pathological processes, such as infection, inflammation and neoplasm. The calcified stylohyoid ligament with styloid process is also located in this space, so this space is more acquainted with Eagle's syndrome in oral and maxillofacial field. During the mandibular transbuccal fixation procedures of 29-year old female patient who had right condylar neck and left parasymphysis fracture, we had lost one 10.0 mm miniscrew. After confirming the location of the lost miniscrew from different angled plain skull radiographies, we tried to find it in the lateral pharyngeal space via transtonsillar approach at the time of plate removal operation. This case report is aimed to share our valuable experience of the effective approach way to the lateral pharyngeal space, which has many advantages, such as short operative time, minimal bleeding, fast post-operative recovery, and less morbidity. The related literature is also reviewed.