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Review
. 2013 May;46(2):239-46.
doi: 10.4103/0970-0358.118599.

Unfavourable results in skull base surgery

Affiliations
Review

Unfavourable results in skull base surgery

Hemen Jaju. Indian J Plast Surg. 2013 May.

Abstract

Treatment of skull base tumors involves multiple specialities. The lesions are usually advanced and the treatment is often associated with unfavorable results, which may be functional and/or aesthetic. Here we have done an analysis for the complications and unfavorable results of 546 cases treated surgically by a single craniofacial surgeon over a period of 14 years. The major morbidity ranges from death to permanent impairment of vital organ functions (brain, eye, nose), infections, tissue losses, flap failures, treatment associated complications, psychosocial issues, and aesthesis besides others. This article is aimed at bringing forth these unfavorable results and how to avoid them.

Keywords: Skull base surgery; skull base tumours; unfavourable results.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Galeofrontalis myofascial flap being positioned into the anterior skull base
Figure 2
Figure 2
Galeofrontalis flap and Temporalis flap have been raised for use in anterior and anterolateral skull base
Figure 3
Figure 3
Post radiation osteoradionecrosis of the frontal bone in a patient where galeofrontalis flap has been used
Figure 4
Figure 4
Ethmoidal tumour: Lesion extending to the anterior clinoid process
Figure 5
Figure 5
Radiation keratitis, vertical dystopia, and enophthalmos in a patient operated for fibrosarcoma in the sphenoid wing
Figure 6
Figure 6
SCC of the right maxilla, orbit and ethmoids after resection
Figure 7
Figure 7
SCC of the right maxilla, orbit and ethmoids after resection and VRAM free flap
Figure 8
Figure 8
Free VRAM flap loss and salvage with a galeofrontalis flap and STG
Figure 9
Figure 9
Operated adenoid cystic carcinoma of bilateral maxilla, nasal cavity and ethmoids excised and reconstructed with bilateral temporalis flaps. Patient has adequate speech but with a cruzonoid look
Figure 10
Figure 10
Operated adenoid cystic carcinoma of bilateral maxilla, nasal cavity and ethmoids excised and reconstructed with bilateral temporalis flaps. Patient has adequate speech but with a cruzonoid look
Figure 11
Figure 11
Advanced recurrent BCC of the midface and anterior skull base for palliation

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