Surgical methods of treatment of Eagle syndrome

Background. One of the most difficult in the clinical practice patients groups are patients with orofacial pain. A possible cause of pain in the face and mouth can be stylohyoid syndrome or Eagle syndrome. The clinical manifestations of the syndrome are observed in only 4-10.3% of cases among the total number of cases of elongated hyoid processes.

Objective. To develop criteria for the choice of the surgical access for a safe removal of the hyoid process depending on its anatomy.

Methods. In patients with the symptoms of stylohyoid syndrome, in the case of detecting an extended hyoid process during the clinical study, its removal was performed via an intraoral route (n=3). In the other patients (n=10) the removal was performed via an external access along the first cervical fold, or through the vertical retroaural access.

Results. In patients with stylohyoid syndrome, we observed a high efficiency of the surgical treatment and rather short times of postsurgical rehabilitation, that significantly improved the quality of life.

Conclusion. In our opinion, the surgical access through the first cervical fold is the most convenient way both from the technical viewpoint and from the viewpoint of a minimal cosmetic defect.