An en bloc cranio-orbitozygomatic approach:: surgical technique and results

An en bloc cranio-orbitozygomatic approach is described. This technique was applied in seven patients (five basilar artery aneurysms, a trigeminal neuroma, a meningioma of the lesser sphenoid wing). The follow-lip period ranged from 3 to 50 months. The patients were retrospectively analysed from the cosmetic point of view, and submitted to computerized tomography with three dimensional and multiplanar reconstructions The access provided a wider operative field with a shorter distance to the pathology and possibility of increased angulation of the microscope. The aneurysms could be cliped and the tumors completelly removed in all cases. A frontalis muscle paralysis occurred in two cases, as well as a temporalis muscle atrophy in another two patients. There were no enophthalmos or bone flap displacements. The surgical technique is simple and do not require drills, electric saws and miniplates.