Extrapolating the Limits of the Nasoseptal Flap With Pedicle Dissection to the Internal Maxillary Artery

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos D Pinheiro-Neto ◽  
Maria Peris-Celda ◽  
Tyler Kenning

Abstract BACKGROUND The nasoseptal flap is the main pedicled flap used for endoscopic cranial base reconstruction. For large anterior cranial base defects, the anterior edge is a concern for the nasoseptal flap reach. OBJECTIVE To present a surgical technique that completely releases the vascular pedicle of the nasoseptal flap from the sphenopalatine artery (SPA) foramen improving considerably the reach of the flap. METHODS A patient with left anterior cranial base fracture involving the posterior table of the frontal sinus, who presented with cerebrospinal fluid leak and contused brain herniation to the ethmoid and frontal sinuses. Unilateral endoscopic endonasal anterior cranial base reconstruction was performed with left sided nasoseptal flap. The nasoseptal flap pedicle was dissected and completely released from the SPA foramen. The flap was left attached only to the internal maxillary artery (IMAX) vascular bundle. RESULTS The flap covered the entire left anterior cranial base, from the planum sphenoidale to the posterior table of the frontal sinus. There was complete obliteration of the cerebrospinal fluid fistula postoperatively with resolution of the radiographic pneumocephalus and the patient's rhinorrhea. CONCLUSION The complete release of the nasoseptal flap pedicle from the SPA foramen is feasible and remarkably improves the reach of the flap. It also increases the reconstructive area of the flap since the entire septal mucosa can be used for reconstruction and the pedicle length is based exclusively upon the SPA/IMAX.

2008 ◽  
Vol 62 (suppl_5) ◽  
pp. ONS342-ONS343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lewis Z. Leng ◽  
Seth Brown ◽  
Vijay K. Anand ◽  
Theodore H. Schwartz

Abstract Objective: Transnasal endoscopic cranial base surgery is a novel minimal-access method for reaching the midline cranial base. Postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak remains a persistent challenge. A new method for watertight closure of the anterior cranial base is presented. Methods: To achieve watertight closure of the anterior cranial base, autologous fascia lata was used to create a “gasket seal” around a bone buttress, followed by application of a tissue sealant such as DuraSeal (Confluent Surgical, Inc., Waltham, MA). The gasket-seal closure was used to seal the anterior cranial base in a series of 10 patients with intradural surgery for suprasellar craniopharyngiomas (n = 5), planum meningiomas (n = 3), clival chordoma (n = 1), and recurrent iatrogenic cerebrospinal fluid leak (n = 1). Lumbar drains were placed intraoperatively in five patients and remained in place for 3 days postoperatively. Results: After a mean follow-up period of 12 months, there were no cerebrospinal fluid leaks. Conclusion: The gasket-seal closure is an effective method for achieving watertight closure of the anterior cranial base after endoscopic intradural surgery.


2010 ◽  
Vol 66 (suppl_2) ◽  
pp. ons281-ons286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pinan Liu ◽  
Shengtian Wu ◽  
Zhi Li ◽  
Bo Wang

Abstract OBJECTIVE Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea is leakage of CSF from the nasal cavity caused by cranial base or meningeal defects. Surgical treatment of CSF rhinorrhea is still problematic. We evaluated the clinical outcomes of 132 consecutive cases of CSF rhinorrhea treated via transcranial or transnasal endoscopic approaches according to the patient's condition. The indications for the approaches are discussed. METHODS Of 132 patients with CSF rhinorrhea, a transnasal endoscopic approach was used in 98 to repair cranial base defects in the ethmoid and sphenoid sinuses. A transcranial intradural approach was used in the remaining 34 patients for frontal sinus defects, multiple fractures of the cranial base, or combination nerve injury. RESULTS CSF rhinorrhea resolved after initial surgery in 124 of 132 patients, giving a success rate of 94%. Of the 8 failures or recurrent cases, 4 were successfully repaired by repeat endoscopic surgery, 2 were cured by transcranial revision surgery, and 2 refused additional surgery (the condition subsequently resolved without treatment in these patients). Postoperative complications included intracranial infection (8 patients) and anosmia (1 patient). No neurological deficits were apparent over the 10-month mean follow-up period. CONCLUSION Transnasal endoscopic repair is a reliable method for CSF rhinorrhea patients whose fistulae are located in the ethmoid and sphenoid sinuses. The transcranial procedure should be the treatment of choice for patients with frontal sinus fracture, multiple or complex anterior cranial base fractures, or nerve injury. A satisfactory surgical outcome depends on exact diagnosis, proper operative approach, and the surgeon's skill and experience.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 154-156
Author(s):  
Marlon Ortiz Machín ◽  
Omar López Arbolay

Cerebrospinal fluid leak represents a frequent complication in Craniopharyngioma´s Endoscopic Endonasal Approach. A descriptive observational investigation was performed in 50 adult patients operated of Craniopharyngiomas by aggressive Expanded Endonasal Endoscopic Approach (EEEA) in “Hermanos Ameijeiras” Hospital since 2010 to 2019 using nasoseptal flap. The 14% of all patients develop CSF leak and 85,7 % of these cases had a great communication into third ventricle creating a cisternoventricular space. Was identified relation with tumor size, hypothalamic invasion and adhesion strength of tumour. Surgical cavity suffered hydrostatic and hydrodynamic pression than lead to CSF leak independent of multilayer reparation.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jake J Lee ◽  
Elizabeth H Wick ◽  
Michael R Chicoine ◽  
Joshua L Dowling ◽  
Eric C Leuthardt ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND Frontal sinus cranialization with closure via bifrontal pericranial flaps is the gold standard for separating the nasofrontal recess from the intracranial cavity for posterior table defects. Despite the high success rate, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak may persist and is particularly challenging when vascularized reconstructive options from the bicoronal incision are exhausted. OBJECTIVE To assess a novel endonasal technique using an adipofascial radial forearm free flap delivered to the frontal recess through a Draf sinusotomy to repair complex CSF leaks from the frontal sinus. METHODS A retrospective review of 3 patients (all male; ages 42, 43, and 69 yr) with persistent CSF leak despite frontal sinus cranialization and repair with bifrontal pericranium was performed. Etiology of injury was traumatic in 2 patients and iatrogenic in 1 patient after anaplastic meningioma treatment. To create space for the flap and repair the nasofrontal ducts, endoscopic Draf III (Case 1, 3) or Draf IIb left frontal sinusotomy (Case 2) was performed. The forearm flap was harvested, passed through a Caldwell-Luc exposure, and placed within the Draf frontal sinustomy. The flap vessels were tunneled to the left neck and anastomosed to the facial vessels by the mandibular notch. RESULTS Intraoperatively, the flaps were well-seated and provided a watertight seal. Postoperative hospital courses were uncomplicated. There were no new CSF leaks or flap necrosis at 12, 14, and 16 mo. CONCLUSION Endoscopic endonasal free flap reconstruction through a Draf procedure is a novel viable option for persistent CSF leak after failed frontal sinus cranialization.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul A. Gardner ◽  
Amin B. Kassam ◽  
Ajith Thomas ◽  
Carl H. Snyderman ◽  
Ricardo L. Carrau ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE The endonasal route may be feasible for the resection of anterior cranial base tumors that abut the paranasal sinuses. There are several case reports and mixed case series discussing this approach. Other than pituitary adenomas, there is a lack of literature describing the outcomes of endonasal approaches for single-tumor types such as meningiomas. METHODS In this study, we describe our current endoscopic endonasal technique and demonstrate the feasibility of using it to access anterior cranial base meningiomas from the back wall of the frontal sinus to the sella and laterally to the region of the midorbit. After this discussion, which includes key technical considerations and nuances, we address safety and efficacy by reporting the outcomes of our early experience with endoscopic endonasal resection of 35 anterior cranial base meningiomas. RESULTS A total of 35 patients underwent endoscopic endonasal resection of anterior cranial base meningiomas from October 2002 to October 2005. Degree of resection by tumor location was as follows: 10 of the 12 (83%) patients with olfactory groove meningiomas planned for complete resection underwent gross total (seven of 12) or near-total (>95%) (three of 12) resection (67% of all 15 olfactory tumors); 12 of 13 patients (92%) with tuberculum meningiomas underwent gross (11 of 13) or near (>95%) (one of 13) total resection; five patients diagnosed with petroclival meningiomas had successful resection of the parasellar portion of their tumors with relief of visual symptoms (no patients underwent complete resection of their tumors via the endoscopic, endonasal approach); two giant petroclival meningiomas were debulked with 63 and 89% resection, respectively. All patients experienced resolution or improvement of visual symptoms. No patient experienced permanent worsening of vision after surgery. Only one (3%) patient without preoperative endocrine dysfunction experienced a new, permanent pituitary deficit, diabetes insipidus. One (3%) patient experienced a new neurological deficit after experiencing a hemorrhage 3 weeks after surgery. The postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak rate was 40% (14 of 35) and varied by tumor location. All leaks were resolved without craniotomy. There were no cases of bacterial meningitis. One patient developed a superinfection of a sterile granuloma from a sinusitis 2 years after surgery. There were two cases of deep venous thrombosis and one pulmonary embolus. There were no operative or perioperative deaths. CONCLUSION Cranial base meningiomas can be successfully managed via a purely endoscopic endonasal approach with acceptable morbidity and mortality rates. The extent of resection is guided by patient factors and symptoms, not by approach. This series had a high cerebrospinal fluid leak rate. With the evolution of new reconstruction techniques, these rates have been substantially reduced.


2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 371-377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey C. Rastatter ◽  
Patrick C. Walz ◽  
Tord D. Alden

The authors of this report present a pediatric case involving the use of a tunneled temporoparietal fascia flap to reconstruct a skull base defect for a multiply recurrent clival chordoma and cerebrospinal fluid leak, demonstrate the surgical technique through illustrations and intraoperative photos, and review the pertinent literature. A 9-year-old female patient underwent extensive clival chordoma resection via both the endoscopic and open approaches, which ultimately exhausted the bilateral nasoseptal flaps and other intranasal reconstructive options. Following proton beam radiation and initiation of chemotherapy, tumor recurrence was managed with further endoscopic resection, which was complicated by a recalcitrant cerebrospinal fluid leak. A tunneled temporoparietal fascia flap was used to provide vascular tissue to augment an endoscopic repair of the leak and reconstruction of the skull base. While the nasoseptal flap remains the workhorse for many pediatric and adult endoscopic skull base reconstructions, the tunneled temporoparietal fascia flap has a demonstrated efficacy in adults when the nasoseptal flap and other intranasal flaps are unavailable. This report documents a pediatric case, serving as a step toward establishing this technique in the pediatric population.


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