title: The frontotemporal-orbitozygomatic approach: reconstructive technique and outcome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The frontotemporal-orbitozygomatic (FTOZ) approach, also known as "the workhorse of skull base surgery," has captured the interest of many researchers throughout the years. Most of the studies published have focused on the surgical technique and the gained exposure. However, few studies have described reconstructive techniques or functional and cosmetic outcomes. The goal of this study was to describe the surgical reconstruction after the FTOZ approach and analyze the functional and cosmetic outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-five consecutive patients who had undergone FTOZ craniotomy for different reasons were selected. The same surgical (one-piece FTOZ) and reconstructive techniques were applied in all patients. The functional outcome was measured by complications related to the surgical approach: retro-orbital pain, exophthalmos, enophthalmos, ocular movement restriction, cranial nerve injuries, pseudomeningocele (PMC) and secondary surgeries required to attain a reconstructive closure. The cosmetic outcome was evaluated by analyzing the satisfaction of the patients and their families. Questionnaires were conducted later in the postoperative period. A statistical analysis of the data obtained from the charts and questions was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 75 patients studied, 59 had no complications whatsoever. Ocular movement restriction was found in two patients (2.4 %). Cranial nerve injury was documented in seven patients (8.5 %). One patient (1.2 %) underwent surgical repair of a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak from the initial surgery. Two patients (2.4 %) developed delayed postoperative pseudomenigocele. One patient (1.2 %) developed intraparenchymal hemorrhage (IPH). Full responses to the questionnaires were collected from 28 patients giving an overall response rate of 34 %. Overall, 22 patients (78.5 %) were satisfied with the cosmetic outcome of surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The reconstruction after FTOZ approach is as important as the performance of the surgical technique. Attention to anatomical details and the stepwise reconstruction are a prerequisite to the successful preservation of function and cosmesis. In our series, the orbitozygomatic osteotomy did not increase surgical complications or alter cosmetic outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA. ayoussef@health.usf.edu
authors.forename: A Samy
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Youssef
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Willard
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Downes
authors.forename: Raul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Olivera
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: Siviero
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Agazzi
authors.forename: Harry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: van Loveren
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000601:surgery; D003399:Craniotomy / Q000379:methods*; D003625:Data Collection; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005624:Frontal Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009915:Orbit / Q000601:surgery*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019291:Skull Base / Q000601:surgery*; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015050:Zygoma / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials