Maxillary removal and reinsertion in pediatric patients.

Objective: To examine outcomes after the maxillary removal and reinsertion (MRR) approach for the treatment of anterior cranial base tumors in pediatric patients.

Design: Eligible patients were identified by medical record review. Consenting patients were studied via rhinoscopy, fiberoptic endoscopy, standard facial photographs, and cephalometric radiographs.

Setting: A tertiary care otolaryngology clinic.

Patients: Inclusion criteria were age younger than 16 years at time of initial procedure and a follow-up period of at least 6 months. Nine patients were eligible, and 5 enrolled. All were male patients (mean age, 13.8 years; age range, 11-15 years) treated for juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma.

Main Outcome Measures: History and examination were performed to evaluate occlusion, vision, facial growth, and tumor status. Cephalograms were used to calculate 3 standard cephalometric measurements: sella to A point, basion to A point, and condylion to A point. Cephalograms were examined for plate migration and bony resorption.

Results And Conclusions: No major long-term complications were identified in the patients after MRR. Cephalometric analysis revealed minor abnormalities in 2 children, but no plate migration or bony resorption was identified in the removed and reinserted maxillae. No abnormal development patterns were detected on physical examination or when cephalometric measurements were compared with age- and race-matched normative data. Although further study is warranted, MRR seems safe and effective for treatment of pediatric patients with anterior cranial base tumors.