A novel landmark for endonasal surgery of the pterygopalatine fossa and inferior orbital fissure: The orbito-pterygo-sphenoidal ligament.

Abstract

The pterygopalatine fossa contains a dense and complex array of neurovascular structures vulnerable to accidental surgical injury. This study aims to describe a novel landmark, the orbito-pterygo-sphenoidal ligament (OPSL), and implications of this structure for surgery in the pterygopalatine fossa and the inferior orbital fissure. Six cadaveric specimens (12 sides) were dissected using an endonasal approach to expose the periosteal layers associated with the pterygopalatine fossa and orbit. The thickened triangular-shaped ligament at their confluence was termed the OPSL. Dimensions of its lateral, inferior, and medial borders were measured, and their anatomical relationships defined. The pterygopalatine ganglion and the maxillary nerve lie immediately inferior and deep into the OPSL. The superior aspect of the posterior nasoseptal artery and nerve are covered by the medial OPSL. The lateral and inferior borders of the OPSL are contiguous with the periorbita and the periosteum of the pterygopalatine fossa, respectively. Along the medial border of the ligament, the openings of the palatovaginal fissure, vidian canal, and foramen rotundum were sequentially identified in a medial to lateral trajectory. The length of the lateral, inferior, and medial borders of the triangular OPSL were 13.25\u2009±\u20090.62, 14.25\u2009±\u20090.45, and 12.08\u2009±\u20090.90\u2009mm, respectively. The OPSL is a thick, triangular-shaped fascial confluence, which may serve as a landmark for procedures within the pterygopalatine fossa and the inferior orbital fissure.