Operative Treatment of Skull Fractures Through the Frontal Sinus

Abstract

In the early 1940's the authors had the opportunity to follow three cases in which fractures through the frontal sinus had been overlooked, late meningitis supervened and the patients could not be saved. In consequence, since 1947, all cases with frontal sinus fractures have been treated with early operation accompanied by massive chemotherapy and antibiotics. However, not trusting in the use of conservative treatment alone, as many authors do -since it is almost impossible, in the X-ray picture, to see a fracture through the posterior wall-the writers call attention to the need of exposing the posterior wall and the dura in all cases independent of the X-ray findings. Damage of the dura is common and as a rule caused by splinter from the posterior wall. The operation technique is described. Eighty cases are reported. Results are excellent.