Experience with International Skull Base Surgery

Introduction: Skull base surgery is commonly performed at international sites by visiting surgeons as part of global education. However, there is limited data on both post-operative patient complications and potential international obstacles encountered by the surgeons at these sites. The primary aim of this study was to better understand the challenges and outcomes of international surgery.

Study Design: Patients who underwent skull base surgery at eight international sites were included. Surgeons at these sites were surveyed postoperatively. Our primary outcomes were postoperative patient complications and international obstacles experienced by the surgeon. Additional operative factors, including patient demographics, surgical time, and length of stay were also evaluated.

Results: Seventeen patients undergoing skull base surgery at international sites were evaluated. The mean age of the patients with ages reported was 40 years old with a range of 53 years. The average surgical time and length of stay was 197.75 minutes (3 hours 17.75 minutes) and 8.67 days, respectively. Patient outcomes and international obstacles experienced are listed in [Figs. 1] and [2].

Conclusion: With proper preparation, skull base surgery performed at international sites does not create an increased risk of complications for the patient and obstacles were not frequently encountered by surgeons at the international sites. International skull base surgery can be performed safely.

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

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Artikel online veröffentlicht:
15. Februar 2022