Open anterior skull base surgery in the pediatric population: anatomy, approaches, and considerations

The objectives of this paper are to synthesize the existing literature on open approaches to the anterior skull base in children. First, we review the developmental anatomy of the anterior skull base. Next, we describe the most commonly used open approaches to the anterior skull base and other adjunctive procedures. Lastly, we review the reconstructive options and comment important pediatric-specific considerations. Our review reports the variety of open approaches to access the anterior skull base in children. Detailed preoperative planning, taking age-related considerations into account, is necessary in order to plan to type and extent of access and reconstruction.
Source: Operative Techniques in Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery - Category: ENT & OMF Source Type: research