The craniofacial resection--eleven-year experience at the University of Virginia: problems and solutions.

From September 1976 to December 1987, 25 patients underwent 27 craniofacial resections at the University of Virginia Health Sciences Center. Two of these patients, who had recurrent disease involving the cavernous sinus, underwent repeat, extended resections. Seventeen of the tumors were esthesioneuroblastomas. Only one patient had received no treatment before surgery. The complications of this surgical technique are reviewed. The most significant complications were neurologic problems and infection. Additional issues, such as the handling of the eye, lacrimal sac, and medial canthal ligament, are also reviewed.