OBJECTIVE:

We sought to assess the efficacy of facial translocation in the management of tumors of the skull base and paranasal sinuses.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING:

From July 1993 to December 1999, 75 patients, aged 3 to 102 years old, underwent facial translocation. Thirty-three (44%) patients also underwent a combined neurosurgical procedure. Nineteen (25%) had previous surgery. These patients were followed up to 6 years.

RESULTS:

There were 21 benign and 54 malignant tumors. There were no perioperative deaths. The morbidity rate was 31%. Of the 54 patients with malignant tumors, the actuarial 3-year survival rate was 59%, whereas the local control rate was 54%.

CONCLUSION:

The facial translocation technique offers favorable exposure of the critical zones of the anterior and middle cranial base, thus facilitating extensive resection and reconstruction.

SIGNIFICANCE:

This study demonstrates that facial translocation is one of the best surgical approaches to the skull base.