A Protocol for Reconstructing Complex Lateral Skull Base Defects: Two Decades of Tertiary Care Experience

To describe a multidisciplinary protocol for the resection and reconstruction of complex lateral skull base pathology, based on over two decades of experience in a high-volume tertiary referral center in the United Kingdom.

Retrospective descriptive analysis of institutional practice.

A high-volume tertiary skull base unit in the United Kingdom.

This study presents a summary of clinical experience in managing lateral skull base pathologies-both benign and malignant-over a 20-year period. It outlines a multidisciplinary approach involving ENT, neurosurgery, plastic surgery, anesthesia, radiology, oncology, and specialist nursing teams. The institutional protocol for resection and reconstruction is described, including surgical planning, intraoperative decision-making, perioperative care, and long-term rehabilitation strategies.

The integrated multidisciplinary protocol enabled safe and effective management of a broad range of lateral skull base lesions. The team achieved high rates of complete resection and functional reconstruction, with acceptable levels of morbidity. Complex anatomy, tumor extent, and reconstructive requirements were successfully navigated through coordinated team-based planning. The approach has been refined through iterative experience and now serves as a reference pathway for similarly structured centers.

Effective management of lateral skull base pathology requires a highly coordinated multidisciplinary strategy. The described protocol, developed and implemented over two decades, offers a structured and reproducible approach that may serve as a valuable reference for other high-volume centers involved in skull base surgery.