Anterior cranial base reconstruction using free tissue transfer: changing trends.

Introduction: A consecutive series of 135 patients undergoing resection for malignant tumors involving the anterior cranial base between 1976 and 1999 was reviewed.

Patient And Methods: In the years from 1976-1991, free-tissue transfer was used in 5 of 76 or 6.6% of cases, whereas free-tissue reconstruction was used in 24 of 59 or 40% of cases in the years 1992-1999.