Complications of skull base surgery.

As skull base resections have increased in complexity and magnitude, so have the complications associated with the procedures. In this paper, we have reviewed the major complications of skull base surgery, including CSF leak, bleeding, stroke, meningitis, cranial nerve deficits and recurrent disease. This report summarizes the factors that lead to these complications, as well as measures to prevent them. We have also discussed our approach to the management of these complications, with particular emphasis on CSF leak and vagal nerve paralysis.