Complications of Skull Base Surgery

Abstract

Resection of lesions involving the skull base has offered patients with complex lesions a prolonged survival as well as an improved quality of life. However, along with these benefits comes a significant risk of major complications. The skull base surgical team must be knowledgeable in methods to minimize the occurrence of complications and techniques in dealing with them. The authors refer to their experience to summarize the complications encountered after skull base surgery. Complications can be divided into those related to cerebrospinal fluid leakage, infection, hemorrhage, and neurologic injury. Meticulous preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative patient management can minimize the incidence of complications as well as the problems related to their occurrence.