The fronto-orbital osteotomy as plastic-reconstructive approach to the anterior and middle skull base.

INTRODUCTION: A combined extra-intracranial access for the operative exploration of tumours of the anterior and middle skull base is indicated when the tumour extends intracranially and simultaneously into the nasal cavity, the paranasal sinuses or the orbit. METHODS: Two standardized modifications of the fronto-orbital osteotomy, the fronto-orbito-nasal and the fronto-orbito-zygomatic osteotomy, allow safe removal of skull base tumours in these locations. In extensive skull base tumours, a modified bilateral fronto-orbital-zygomatic osteotomy can be used. RESULTS: Between February 1993 and July 2000 skull base tumours in 111 patients were resected using the presented methods. The most frequent tumour type was meningioma in 29 cases. Complications were encountered in 13 cases (11.7%). CONCLUSION: The advantages over other approaches are good extra- and intracranial overview and minimal cerebral trauma. Additional transfacial incisions are not usually necessary. Exact repositioning of the fronto-orbital segments leads to optimal aesthetic results.

Intracerebral hemorrhage during treatment with oral anticoagulants. Risk factors, therapy and prognosis.

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) during oral anticoagulation is a serious complication, which is mostly fatal for the multimorbid patient. In the present retrospective study of 53 patients with ICH during treatment with a cumarin derivative (Phenoprocoumon, Marcumar), we investigated the relationship between therapy and preexisting parameters such as age, location, level of consciousness, additional bleeding risks, and the degree of anticoagulation, which were assumed to be of prognostic relevance. The therapeutic management of ICH during treatment with anticoagulants was determined predominantly by location of the hematoma, patient's age, and additional bleeding risks, but less by level of consciousness and initial thromboplastin time (Quick's test). As a consequence of the individual analysis of these 5 parameters, age over 60 years, location of hematoma in the midline or ventricles, coma, additional bleeding risks such as arterial hypertension and trauma, and Quick's test below 15% at the time of bleeding were supposed to be responsible for poor prognosis. Mortality increased with a rising number of poor prognostic factors, independently of surgical or conservative treatment. In consequence, prognosis of ICH during oral anticoagulation is predominantly influenced by the number of such disadvantageous indicators and only little by therapy.