Limited Bilateral Facial Translocation with Le Fort I and Modified Le Fort II For Removal of Basal Sphenoidal Meningocele: A Case Report

Lee, One Tech; Chung, Seung Moon

Abstract

Surgical treatment of skull base tumors are a challenge because of their location. These lesions were considered nonoperable for surgical morbidity and mortality and in many cases radical removal of the tumor was not possible because satisfactory surgical access to these areas was difficult to achieve. However, the facial translocation access to this area meets the current underlying principle of skull base approaches, minimizes brain retraction while maximizing skull base visualization. We completely exposed this area by approaching with limited bilateral facial translocation with Le Fort I and modified Le Fort II in basal sphenoidal meningocele patient. This provides direct access, excellent visualization of the ethmoid, sphenoid, nasopharynx and practically all surgical margins. Through this panoramic approach, one can easily expose the skull base lesions and operate on this area under direct visual and manual control. It also makes possible functional reassembly of soft tissue and the skeleton, plays an important role in producing a subsequent excellent facial appearance.