Endoscopic resection of benign frontal tumors: Technical note
Objectives: We describe a method of endoscopic excision of begnin forehead tumors, via two minimal incisions behind the hairline.
Introduction: Benign frontal tumors cause aesthetic disfigurement and occasional pain. The direct approach to these lesions creates a visible scar on the forehead and the coronal approach, sometimes used, can have as a scar ransom an unsightly alopecic area.
Materials / method: Operative technique: We describe a method of endoscopic excision of these forehead tumors, via two minimal incisions behind the hairline. The dissection plane is subperiosteal. Nerve and vascular injuries can be easily avoided using endoscopy.
Results: This technique was used in 25 patients between 2018 and 2024. The average age of our patients was 28 years (17 to 58 years). The lesions were: lipomas (14 cases), osteomas (8 cases) and cysts (3 cases). The average diameter of these lesions was 2.5 cm (1 to 4.5 cm). The average duration of the procedure was 50 min (40 to 90 min). No scar was visible on the postoperative frontal photos with an average follow-up of 8 months.
Conclusion: Aesthetic considerations are important characteristics of the craniomaxillofacial region especially for patients who do not accept the risk of a visible frontal scar. Endoscopic resection of benign tumors of the forehead can be useful by replacing the direct approach, responsible for a visible scar in young patients and the coronal approach whose postoperative consequences are heavier.
Endoscopy can be considered as an alternative means in the repertoire of maxillofacial surgeons and plastic surgeons.