[Transfrontal approach for the microsurgery of retrobulbar tumor]

Transfrontal approach is the way available for microsurgical removal of retrobulbar tumor. The tumor can be completely extirpated with minimal injury upon the optic nerve, oculomotor nerve, ciliary ganglion and ophthalmic vessels as well as ocular muscles. Thirty-two cases of retrobulbar tumor (cavernous hemangioma, telangioma, glioma, lymphangioma, neurinoma, neurofibroma and rhabdomyosarcoma) were operated through this approach with microsurgical techniques. Follow-up shows that in all cases no recurrence occurs in 3-9 years and reveals that in 29 cases the preservation or functional recovery of vision and ocular movement are satisfied. One case of rhadomyosarcoma and two cases of glioma lose their vision for the partial resection of optic nerve which was invaded by the tumor. It is useful to detect undesirable dissection of tumors from its surrounding oculomotor nerves with evoked potential monitoring.