Supraorbital Keyhole Approach to the Sella and Anterior Skull Base via a Forehead Wrinkle Incision.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate safety and effectiveness of supraorbital keyhole approach to the sella and anterior skull base via a forehead wrinkle incision.

METHODS: We analyzed and reclassified forehead wrinkle types in 100 recruited healthy individuals. Twenty patients with different intracranial lesions in the sella and anterior skull base areas were selected for surgery using the supraorbital keyhole approach via a forehead wrinkle incision by forehead wrinkle type. All clinical patient records were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS: Based on the feasibility of the surgical approach, the forehead wrinkles in Chinese individuals were categorized into 2 types: horizontal linear and nonlinear. Gross total removal of the lesions was achieved in 90% of the cases using this approach. All patients had excellent cosmetic results. Except for 2 patients with poor prognoses, a high level of comfort and satisfaction with the forehead wrinkle incisions was obtained based on the scale scores of pain from scars and headaches and satisfaction with the cosmetic results. No permanent approach-related complications occurred.

CONCLUSIONS: The supraorbital keyhole approach via a forehead wrinkle incision was safe and effective. This approach provided a sufficient visual field for lesion resection and satisfactory cosmetic results for patients.