Publication Details

Title	Fractures of the anterior cranial fossa: the craniofacial approach
Authors	Simpson DA, David DJ, Reilly PL
Year	1990
Type	Journal Article
Abstract	During the years 1954-1988, the neurosurgical staff of the Royal Adelaide and Adelaide Children's Hospitals treated 238 cases of anterior fossa fractures involving the accessory nasal sinuses. Complications included cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhoea (47.5%), aerocele (25.2%), meningitis (13.l0/0) and brain abscess (2.5%). Strategies of management changed over this period from an initial policy of routine subfrontal exploration in all suspected cerebrospinal fluid fistula, to a selective policy of exploration in cases of prolonged leakage, fractures with bony separation, or intracranial infection. This selective policy demands precise radiographic examination of the skull base. There were associated fractures of the facial skeleton in 89 patients (37.4%). Initially these facial fractures were treated separately; during the last 12 years, the development of craniofacial surgery has permitted combined one stage repairs, usually carried out electively as soon as the cerebral swelling has subsided. These patients often have serious long-term disabilities, and may need interdisciplinary rehabilitation.
Journal Title	Asian Journal of Surgery
Journal Volume (Issue)	13(1)
Page Range	23-31
Page Count	9

Reference

Simpson DA, David DJ, Reilly PL (1990). Fractures of the anterior cranial fossa: the craniofacial approach. Asian Journal of Surgery, 13(1), 23-31.