Surgical treatment of maxillary sinus cancer

Total maxillectomy, with or without orbital exenteration, is the most commonly performed surgical operation for maxillary sinus cancers. The surgical technique has remained relatively unchanged more than half a century. Total maxillectomy is potentially complicated by injury to the orbital contents, lacrimal drainage, optic nerve, 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. The sequence of the operation should be planned to reserve troublesome bleeding to the end of the procedure.