Transglabellar approach for resection of anterior midline skull base meningiomas: technical note.

BACKGROUND

We describe our experience of minimally invasive approach of the anterior skull base through the transglabellar approach.

METHOD: The technical details of the transglabellar approach are described in this article as we have been using it for the past 3 years. After an inter-eyebrow skin incision, the scalp is elevated allowing the creation of a 3-cm bone flap in the frontal sinus, which gives direct access to the anterior midline skull base. Removal of the tumour is carried out without brain retraction. The closure requires obstruction of nasofrontal ducts and sinus mucosa removal.

RESULTS

We operated on 24 patients using this approach. The tumour was completely removed in every case. We reported one case of meningitis and three cerebrospinal fluid leaks. Every patient was satisfied with the aesthetic results.

CONCLUSIONS

The transglabellar approach is a reasonably easy and efficient way to resect anterior midline skull base meningiomas.