Transsphenoidal approach to chordoma invading the sphenoid bone and clivus

Objective To discuss the indication and methods on the surgical treatment of chordoma involving the sphenoid bone and clivus and discuss 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 morthty the five-year survival rate was 58%. Conclusions This approach 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.