title: Classification of facial translocation approach to the skull base.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To categorize a surgical approach to the skull base.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective assessment of an evolving concept pertaining to the facial translocation procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Schematic/conceptual.
  
  
  METHODS
  To allow favorable surgical reach of the essential anatomy at the cranial base with the potential for functional and esthetic reconstruction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Systematic craniofacial disassembly.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The facial translocation technique of modular craniofacial disassembly of facial units permits a satisfactory match between a skull base tumor and a selected surgical approach. Individual units have a complementary relationship to one another, allowing an expansion of the surgical approach as needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology and Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: I P
authors.initials: IP
authors.lastname: Janecka
mesh_terms: D003399:Craniotomy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D012886:Skull / Q000601:surgery*