Craniofacial osteotomies for skull base access.

During a five year period 150 craniofacial access osteotomies for skull base access have been performed allowing direct exposure of pathology in difficult anatomical acreas with minimal complications. These approaches have been developed by considering the craniofacial skeleton as a single osteoplastic structure. Bone segments are mobilised and replaced using rigid fixation. In this way osteotomies can be planned which significantly improve access and preserve form and function in the complex region of the skull base.