title: Craniofacial resection of anterior skull base tumours: factors contributing to success.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A case series of 20 consecutive patients followed for a minimum of 54 months following craniofacial resection of anterior skull base tumours is presented, with the aim of identifying complications and factors influencing survival.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review of a case series of 20 consecutive patients was carried out.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Dural invasion was significantly correlated with poorer survival. There was also a tendency for tumour grade and positive resection margins to be associated with poorer outcome. Most local recurrences occurred within 6 months of surgery, with the exception of adenocarcinoma of the ethmoids, in which recurrence occurred up to 36 months postoperatively. A variety of complications were encountered, with a marked decrease in serious complications from midway through the series.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The change in pattern of complications may be indicative of a learning curve, or the discontinuation of the use of lumbar drainage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Greenlane Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Rutter
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Furneaux
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Morton
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D003399:Craniotomy / Q000379:methods*; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010255:Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019292:Skull Base Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D015996:Survival Rate