[An endoscopic approach to reconstruction of skull base defects using a vascular pedicled nasoseptal mucoperiosteal flap].

OBJECTIVE: To introduce a method and the clinical effects of repairing skull base defects and dural defects using vascular pedicled nasoseptal mucoperiosteal flaps through an endoscopic endonasal approach.

METHODS: The clinical and follow-up data for 8 patients who underwent endoscopic endonasal reconstruction of skull base defects and cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea with a vascular pedicled nasoseptal mucoperiosteal flap between July 2008 and March 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. All patients were male. The age of these patients ranged from 28 to 60 years (average 41 years). The diagnosis for these patients included one hemangiopericytoma of the anterior skull base one olfactory neuroblastoma (type of Kadish C), one ethmoid sinus cancer, three local recurrent cancers of the nasopharynx after radiotherapy, one carcinoid of skull base and one traumatic cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea with recurrent intracranial infection. There were six anterior skull base defects and two middle cranial fossa defects. An endoscopic endonasal surgical approach was used for the repair. A pedicled flap using the nasal septal mucoperiosteum based on the posterior nasal artery was harvested from the ipsilateral side. The tissue flap was used to cover the dural defects. The margin was covered with gelatin sponge and fixed with fibrin glue. The nasal cavity was packed with iodoform gauze, a Foley catheter balloon and Merocel in this sequence to secure the flap in place. Nasal packing was removed 5 to 7 days postoperatively.

RESULTS: Partial septal flap necrosis was found in one case, but the flaps in the other 7 cases survived. A postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak occurred in one case 7 days after surgery. This was re-explored and successfully repaired with abdominal fat. All cases healed well, with no delayed cerebrospinal fluid leaks or intracranial infections during the 6 to 24 months follow-up period.

CONCLUSION: The vascular pedicled nasoseptal mucoperiosteal flap is a reliable choice for endoscopic endonasal skull base reconstruction.