Endoscopic-assisted Craniofacial Resection

Abstract

Management of anterior skull base tumors has progressed steadily since AS Ketcham popularized the craniofacial surgical technique in the seventies with good results. In the past two decades, endoscopic sinonasal tumor resection has been established as an additional treatment option. For tumors that cross the anterior skull base, a cranial access is vital to encompass the tumor all around. For a select group of these transcranial lesions, the sinonasal component is suitable for an endoscopic endonasal oncologically safe resection along with a traditional transcranial access to complete the resection. This article endeavors to describe the endoscopicassisted craniofacial combining the advantages of a transnasal minimal access to reduce facial morbidity and the transcranial access for superior control of tumors with adequate margins.