ABSTRACT
Lesions located in the skull base create a challenge for the reconstructive surgeon. Ablation of neoplasms in this region often requires extensive resection and this results in a large defect that often requires complex reconstruction. Because of the anatomic location of the skull base and the potential for postoperative complications, this region has a unique complexity that requires a comprehensive approach. The management of patients with skull base tumors has advanced with the improvement of operative technique, diagnostic and interventional radiology, and the introduction of the multidisciplinary surgical and medical teams. This has provided the opportunity for successful surgical treatment of most cranial base tumors, which were previously deemed inoperable.
