title: Management of neurovascular complications in extended skull base surgery.
abstract: Combined oncologic approaches to the skull base now permit resection of extensive basicranial neoplasms. Despite advances in microsurgical techniques, disabling or life-threatening complications are still encountered in such surgery. Successful management of these sequelae is dependent upon meticulous intraoperative care and compulsive postoperative clinical assessment. Perioperative neurovascular complications were recorded in 154 consecutive skull base procedures. The most frequent severe complication was cerebral edema, which occasionally required surgical intervention. Dysphagia was the most common complication noted in the late postoperative period. Based upon this review, the management and methods found to minimize the incidence of various perioperative neurovascular complications related to extended skull base surgery are described.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Ill.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Leonetti
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Grubb
mesh_terms: D001929:Brain Edema / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery*; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D003389:Cranial Nerve Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009464:Neuroma, Acoustic / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000628:therapy*; D012888:Skull Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*