Transsphenoidal approach to chordoma invading the sphenoid bone and clivuss

Objective To discuss the indication and methods on the surgical treatment of chordoma in volving the sphenoid bone and clivus how to improve the surgical outcome. Methods All patients were treated by transspenoidal approach surgery. Results Subtotal removal in 73.7% , and partial removal in 26.3% . No operative mortality the five-year survival rate was 58 % . Conclusion This aproach is less destructive, less time-concuming, less complications, easy to perform, and adapted to the majority of chordoma invading the sphenoid bone and clivus. Radical surgical removal and postoperative radiotherapy is an efficacious treatment and may prolong disease-free survival. 8 refs,4 figs.