Midline anterior craniofacial approach for malignancy: results of en bloc versus piecemeal resections

Thirty consecutive cases of midline anterior craniofacial procedures for the treatment of malignant neoplasms arising from the paranasal sinuses were reviewed. Posterior and lateral base craniofacial procedures were specifically excluded. This review compares the results, in terms of survival and major complication rate, between en bloc and piecemeal resections. The average follow-up was 4 years and 3 months. Sixteen patients were treated with an en bloc resection. The major complication rate was 31%. One-year survival rate was 94% for the en bloc resection group, 67% for patients with positive margins, and 100% for patients with clear margins. Three-year survival for en bloc resection dropped to 56, 33, and 67%, respectively. Fourteen patients were treated with piecemeal resections. The major complication rate was 21%. One-year survival rate was 83% for the piecemeal resection group, 60% for patients with positive margins, and 100% for patients with clear margins. Three-year survival dropped to 70, 60, and 80%, respectively. Although it is considered desirable to obtain an en bloc resection in some craniofacial procedures, we conclude that a piecemeal resection is a viable alternative in situations where an en bloc procedure is difficult to obtain safely.