The concept of the “Hexahedron” in the supratotal resection of the frontal gliomas: A technical note

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the value of the concept of the “Hexahedron” in the supratotal resection (SPTR) of frontal gliomas in both dominant and nondominant hemispheres . METHODS All consecutive patients who underwent SPTR for frontal gliomas under the guidance from the concept of the “Hexahedron” were retrospectively analysed for lesion location, pathology, extent of resection (EOR), and complications from May 2020 to June 2021. Volumetric EOR was measured and classified as SPTR, (in which the volume of the postoperative cavity was larger than the preoperative tumour volume), gross total resection (GTR, > 95% by volume) or subtotal resection (STR, ≤ 95% by volume) after independent radiological review. RESULTS Six men and two women (mean age: 47.13 years; range: 26–69 years) were included. All eight patients underwent frontal craniotomy combined frontotemporal craniotomy for resection of frontal gliomas. Neuropathological examination confirmed a diagnosis of glioblastoma WHO Grade IV in 4 patients, anaplastic oligodendroglioma WHO Grade III in 1, anaplastic astrocytoma WHO Grade III in 2 and diffuse astrocytoma WHO Grade II in 1. SPTR was achieved in six patients and STR was achieved in two. The main postoperative complications were contralateral paresis in 2 patients and memory disturbances in 1 patient. There were no cases of rebleeding or secondary operation during hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS In the presented eight cases the concept of the “Hexahedron” allowed for safe surgical supratotal resection of frontal gliomas.