Anterior skull-base surgery: current opinion.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The field of anterior skull-base surgery has undergone rapid advancement in the last 10-15 years. As a result, tumors of the anterior skull base that were once considered inoperable are now routinely resected with reliable results and decreasing morbidity. The purpose of this review is to highlight the most up-to-date opinions and advancements within the field, and to evaluate the recent advances in the surgical management of anterior skull-base tumors.

RECENT FINDINGS: In the last year, the body of literature in anterior skull-base surgery has been expanded with new anatomic insights, surgical techniques, and data on patient outcomes and quality of life. Much of this literature is focused on minimally invasive, endoscopic techniques, which have expanded greatly in the last decade.

SUMMARY: This article summarizes the most current opinion in the field of anterior skull-base surgery. Recent literature regarding new anatomic insights, surgical techniques (resection and reconstruction), and outcomes data are outlined.