Transtemporal and transinfratemporal combined approaches in lateral skull base tumor surgery

Objective: Safe and complete removal of the tumor invading lateral skull base and its surrounding structures.

Methods: Tumor removal through combined approach of temporal and infratemporal fossa with microsurgical techniques for preservation or reconstruction of lateral skull base and cranial nerves.

Results: Sixty-two cases of benign and malignant tumors undergone surgery and followed up for five and more years showed: no recurrence in 67.7%, survival with tumor 25.8%, death 6.5% (only for malignancy). No complications of extra- or intra-cranial infection, cerebrospiral fluid leak and flap necrosis.

Conclusions: Combined approach of temporal and infratemporal fossa is suitable for the surgery of those tumors that involve temporal bone and middle or posterior intracranial fossa, as well as infratemporal fossa.