COMPLICATIONS OF CRANIOFACIAL RESECTION FOR TUMORS INVOLVING THE ANTERIOR SKULL BASE

Background. A consecutive series of 85 patients undergoing craniofacial resection for malignant tumors involving the anterior cranial base between 1974 and 1992 was reviewed. Results. There were two (2%) postoperative deaths. Postoperative complications occurred in 33 (39%) patients. Local major complications occurred in 26 (31%) patients, local minor in 7 (8%), and systemic in 5 (6%). More than one complication occurred in a number of patients. Bacterial contamination led to a significant proportion of local, septic complications. Repair of the skull base defect with a pedicled pericranial flap was unsatisfactory and was associated with an increased incidence of local major complications. A local major complication was associated with a dramatic lengthening of hospitalization. Conclusion. Future endeavors for prevention of complications should focus on antibiotic prophylaxis and reconstruction of the cranial base defect with better vascularized flaps. (C) 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.