Lateral skull base surgery in a pediatric population: A 25-year experience in a referral skull base center.

Objective: To analyze the pathology and surgical outcomes of lateral skull base (LSB) procedures in a pediatric population.

Study Design: Retrospective case review in a referral skull base center.

Methods: Charts of pediatric patients who underwent defined LSB procedures from 1983 to 2015 for various pathologies were evaluated at our center. A systematic review of literature was performed and our results were compared with the literature.

Results: 63 patients presented with 65 diseased ears. The mean age was 13 years. 29 (44.6%) presented with hearing loss and 28 (44.4%) and chronic otorrhea. The most common pathology was petrous bone cholesteatoma (27, 42.5%) followed by vestibular schwannoma (10, 15.8%). Subtotal petrosectomy (24, 35.8%) was the most common surgical procedure followed by, transotic (18, 26.8%). The facial nerve function was preserved in 45 (67.1%) and the hearing in 28 (41.7%) cases respectively. No major complications, including mortality was encountered in our series.

Conclusion: In rare and extensive pathologies involving the skull base in a pediatric population, the surgeon is posed with the dilemma of trying to achieve facial and hearing preservation while dealing with total tumor clearance. Mastery over LSB procedures can ensure complete disease clearance with optimal functional outcomes.

Level Of Evidence: 2b.