
Abstract
Objective Endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery has gained acceptance
worldwide. Comparative analysis has demonstrated that endoscopic skull base
surgery may have advantages for many pathologies of the anterior skull base,
e. g., sinonasal malignant tumors; pathologies of the central skull base, e. g.,
pituitary adenomas, craniopharyngiomas; well-selected cases of planum
sphenoidale and tuberculum sellae meningiomas; or for clival lesions, e. g.,
chordomas, chondrosarcomas, or selected meningiomas. Over the past three
decades, interdisciplinary surgical teams, consisting of otolaryngologists and
neurosurgeons, have provided detailed anatomical knowledge, suggested new
approaches or modifications of established surgical techniques, and offered
continued surgical education.
Method A review of pertinent literature was conducted with an emphasis on
interdisciplinary endoscopic surgery of skull base lesions.
Results Based on the authors̓ surgical experience in two different
interdisciplinary endoscopic skull base centers, the authors classify approaches
for endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery, describe indications, and key
anatomic landmarks for common pathologies, and highlight surgical techniques to
avoid complications.
Conclusion Interdisciplinary endonasal endoscopic surgery combines
surgical expertise, improves resection rates for many pathologies, and minimizes
morbidity by reducing the incidence of surgical complications.
Keywords
Skull base surgery - endoscopic surgery, interdisciplinary management