Extended transbasal approach with preservation of olfaction: an anatomicalstudy

Many craniofacial approaches to the sphenoethmoidal region, anterior fossa, and central skull base compartment have been described, a number of which involve the mobilization of the frontonasoorbital complex en bloc, Spetzler 's modification incorporates osteotomies around the cribriform plate, to pr eserve olfaction, In this morphological study of three cadavers, photograph s were used to show the technique and define its anatomical boundaries and limitations. The study illustrates access to a number of anatomical regions , particularly the exposure of the medial orbit, the cavernous sinus, the c livus, and the vertebrobasilar complex. (C) 2001 The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.