[Resection of malignant tumors of the anterior skull base and the fronto-orbito-ethmoidal region by overturn of frontonasal flap].
OBJECTIVE
To introduce a better surgical approach for the resection of malignant tumors in the anterior skull base and in the fronto-orbito-ethmoidal region.


METHODS
A "U" form incision on the bilateral superciliary arch was made and connected with the unhealthy nasal side incision. Then the frontal musculocutaneous flap was over-turned upward. The nasal pyramid was over-turned to the healthy side. The malignant tumors in the anterior skull base and the fronto-orbito-ethmoidal region were fully exposed and resected.


RESULTS
From december 1986 to december 1996, 50 patients received tumour resection through this approach. Postoperatively, the one-year survival rate was 86.0% (43/50), the three-year survival rate was 62.0% (31/50), and the five-year survival rate was 44.0% (22/50).


CONCLUSIONS
The frontonasal flap overturn approach provided good exposure of surgical field, avoided the coronal incision, and the reaction of brain was mild. We believe this surgical approach is superior to traditional combined craniofacial approach.
Zhen
Ze-nian
ZN
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Fuzhou General Hospital of Nanjing Command of the PLA, Fuzhou 350025, China.
Zhao
Min
M
Yuan
You-wen
YW
Li
Jian-zhong
JZ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005546:Forehead / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009666:Nose / Q000601:surgery; D009918:Orbital Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D010255:Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D019292:Skull Base Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps