Intraoral Approach for a Congenital Teratoma in the Orbit Extending into the Pterygopalatine Fossa

This article reports an intraoral approach for a congenital mature teratoma in the orbit, extending into the pterygopalatine fossa and the zygoma remodeling due to biological and functional matrix theory during the neonatal period. The operation took place on the 56th postnatal day due to gradual proptosis of the left eye from the socket. The entire orbital tumor could be surgically removed via the inferior orbital fissure, which had been expanded by the pressure of the tumor. This case suggests that orbital tumors expanding into pterygopalatine fossa can be removed by the intraoral approach because the bone of infants is so soft. The eyeball of the patient was temporarily depressed after the operation, but that was improved by tissue remodeling with time. Therefore, it is recommended that reconstructive surgery for an infant should be performed at the age of 12 months or older.