[Cranialization of the frontal sinus]. / La cranialisation des sinus frontaux. A propos de 19 cas.

ABSTRACT

UNLABELLED In the surgery of frontal sinus exclusion, the place of cranialization is still controversial. Our aims were to describe the operative technique, report our results and discuss its indications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Nineteen patients were operated according to this technique between 1984 and 1997. Cranialization was performed in the first place for tumors, osteitis, traumatisms and benign tumors or mucoceles with a special location. In patients with chronic sinusitis or mucocele, it was performed in the second place when functional surgery was considered as failure and because sinus obliteration seemed to be inappropriate. RESULTS: There was no mortality nor anosmia linked to the procedure. Postoperative sequelae were related to the disease or to the surgical approach. After a median follow-up of 29 months, no disease recurrence was observed. CONCLUSION: Cranialization of frontal sinus gives good results in selected patients, with low morbidity. Even though its indications are infrequent, this technique has its place in the surgical exclusion of frontal sinus.