[An en bloc cranio-orbitozygomatic approach: surgical technique and results]

An en bloc cranio-orbitozygomatic approach is described. This technique was applied in seven patients (five basilar artery aneurysms, a trigeminal neuroma, a meningioma of the lesser sphenoid wing). The follow-up period ranged from 3 to 50 months. The patients were retrospectively analyzed from the cosmetic point of view, and submitted to computerized tomography with three dimensional and multiplanar reconstructions. The access provided a wider operative field with a shorter distance to the pathology and possibility of increased angulation of the microscope. The aneurysms could be clipped and the tumors completely removed in all cases. A frontalis muscle paralysis occurred in two cases, as well as a temporalis muscle atrophy in another two patients. There were no enophthalmos or bone flap displacements. The surgical technique is simple and do not require drills, electric saws and mini-plates.