Abstract
Introduction Sellar reconstruction following endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES) requires modification based on the degree of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. For high-flow (grade II or III) intraoperative CSF leak, lumbar drainage (LD), in addition to the multi-layer closing technique, is generally recommended. However, LD has complications occasionally, including post-puncture headache, over-drainage symptoms, and increased length of stay (LOS). We retrospectively evaluated the outcome of our graded reconstruction strategy using a multi-layer technique with a novel material, without LD, after EES.Methods Ninety-seven patients who underwent EES with grade II or III intraoperative CSF leak between June 2020 and March 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. For grade II CSF leak, fibrin sealant and a nasoseptal flap (NSF) were placed; for grade III CSF leak, a multi-layer technique was utilized in combination with collagen matrix, an acellular dermal graft, injectable hydroxyapatite (HXA), and an NSF. Postoperatively, routine LD was not performed.Results This study included 48 (49.5%) grade II and 49 (50.5%) grade III CSF leaks. Upon follow-up period (mean, 8.7 months), no patient showed postoperative CSF leak in either group. The postoperative LOS was not significantly different between the grade II (6.68 [range, 3–14] days) and grade III CSF leak groups (7.38 [range, 4–15] days) (p>0.05). No HXA-associated complications occurred.ConclusionsA graded surgical repair strategy after EES could avoid postoperative CSF leak. Combined use of injectable HXA and acellular dermal grafts for high-flow CSF leak can limit LD requirement, without significant risks.
Graded reconstruction strategy using a multi-layer technique without lumbar drainage after endoscopic endonasal surgery