Lateral skull base surgery for cancer

The management of malignant tumors of the lateral skull base remains a challenging problem. Sixty-two patients underwent lateral skull base resection for cancer. Preoperative evaluation included complete neurotologic examination, CT scan, MRI, and carotid angiography. During surgery, the nasopharynx, the posterior maxilla, the infratemporal fossa structures, the mandibular ramus, and the parotid gland were resected en bloc. Reconstruction of the surgical defect was performed using pectoralis and/or rhombotrapezius myocutaneous flaps. Although the overall cure rate was not greatly improved, patients with lateral skull base malignancies now enjoy extended periods of palliation and a better quality of life.