Craniofacial resection for tumors of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses.

The combined approach for resection of tumors of the nose and paranasal sinuses is well established. The technique has been considerably modified, resulting in an operation that combines good access, sound oncologic resection with excellent cosmesis, and a low postoperative morbidity rate for conditions that have been associated hitherto with an extremely poor prognosis. A 9 year experience with 92 patients is presented. Long follow-up confirmed the initial results, suggesting an improved survival rate in patients with potentially curable disease. An increasing number of large benign tumors, which would previously have been considered inaccessible, are now being resected. Herein, the role and accuracy of preoperative investigations such as computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are evaluated, and the cosmetic implications associated with long-term survival, particularly in children, is considered. The many advantages of craniofacial resection recommend it as the treatment of choice for tumors of the nose and paranasal sinuses, and the versatility of the technique allows its application to tumors arising in adjacent areas.