Frontolateral Approach for Anterior Cranial Fossa, Sellar, and Parasellar Tumors: Advantages and Technical Aspects

Introduction: Frontolateral craniotomy is a relatively small craniotomy is well established in skull base surgeries to deal with most of the anterior fossa, sellar, and parasellar lesions, providing adequate exposure and minimal brain retraction.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted of 83 cases, which occurred over the past 6 years, of different types of anterior cranial fossa, sellar, and parasellar tumors, which were approached through right frontolateral craniotomy.

Discussion: A right frontolateral craniotomy that was 3 × 4 cm in dimension and flush with the roof of the orbit was used in all cases. We could achieve total resection in most of these tumors with minimal complications and good outcome. Different types of tumors were approached using this technique. Comparing our results with other approaches revealed better results with this minimally invasive technique regarding the total resection and follow-up.

Conclusion: The frontolateral approach is minimally invasive, shortening operative time and minimizing morbidity.