Indications and techniques of midfacial degloving. A 15-year experience.

Surgical access to the midface structures for the removal of benign or malignant lesions traditionally has been through paranasal sinuses, through external facial incisions, or transpalatine. The midfacial degloving procedure has been developed by the association of sublabial incisions, combined with rhinoplasty incisions, with or without osteotomies of the nasal bone and frontal process of the maxilla. I have been using midfacial degloving to treat patients since 1969 among which are included 30 patients who were seen with benign or malignant lesions involving the midface structures, palate, or nasopharynx. This approach offers excellent bilateral exposure without leaving external facial deformity.