scholarly journals The rhinopharyngeal flap for reconstruction of lower clival and craniovertebral junction defects

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Pierre-Olivier Champagne ◽  
Georgios A. Zenonos ◽  
Eric W. Wang ◽  
Carl H. Snyderman ◽  
Paul A. Gardner
Keyword(s):  
Soft Tissues ◽  
Bacterial Flora ◽  
Craniovertebral Junction ◽  
Csf Leak ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Flap Necrosis ◽  
Nasoseptal Flap ◽  
Skull Base Reconstruction ◽  
Csf Leakage ◽  
Lower Clivus

OBJECTIVEThe endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) to the lower clivus and craniovertebral junction (CVJ) has been traditionally performed via resection of the nasopharyngeal soft tissues. Alternatively, an inferiorly based rhinopharyngeal (RP) flap (RPF) can be dissected to help reconstruct the postoperative defect and separate it from the oropharynx. To date, there is no evidence regarding the viability and potential clinical impact of the RPF. The aim of this study was to assess RPF viability and its impact on clinical outcome.METHODSA retrospective cohort of 60 patients who underwent EEA to the lower clivus and CVJ was studied. The RPF was used in 30 patients (RPF group), and the nasopharyngeal soft tissues were resected in 30 patients (control group).RESULTSChordoma was the most common surgical indication in both groups (47% in the RPF group vs 63% in the control group, p = 0.313), followed by odontoid pannus (20% in the RPF group vs 10%, p = 0.313). The two groups did not significantly differ in terms of extent of tumor (p = 0.271), intraoperative CSF leak (p = 0.438), and skull base reconstruction techniques other than the RPF (nasoseptal flap, p = 0.301; fascia lata, p = 0.791; inlay graft, p = 0.793; and prophylactic lumbar drain, p = 0.781). Postoperative soft-tissue enhancement covering the lower clivus and CVJ observed on MRI was significantly higher in the RPF group (100% vs 26%, p < 0.001). The RPF group had a significantly lower rate of nasoseptal flap necrosis (3% vs 20%, p = 0.044) and surgical site infection (3% vs 27%, p = 0.026) while having similar rates of postoperative CSF leakage (17% in the RPF group vs 20%, p = 0.739) and meningitis (7% in the RPF group vs 17%, p = 0.424). Oropharyngeal bacterial flora dominated the infections in the control group but not those in the RPF group, suggesting that the RPF acted as a barrier between the nasopharynx and oropharynx.CONCLUSIONSThe RPF provides viable vascularized tissue coverage to the lower clivus and CVJ. Its use was associated with decreased rates of nasoseptal flap necrosis and local infection, likely due to separation from the oropharynx.

scholarly journals Cerebrospinal fluid leakage due to nasoseptal flap partial necrosis: A pitfall for skull base reconstruction of endoscopic endonasal surgery

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 121
Author(s):  
Hiroki Yamada ◽  
Masahiro Toda ◽  
Mariko Fukumura ◽  
Ryotaro Imai ◽  
Hiroyuki Ozawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Skull Base ◽  
Csf Leak ◽  
Cerebrospinal Fluid Leakage ◽  
Flap Necrosis ◽  
Nasoseptal Flap ◽  
Endoscopic Endonasal ◽  
Skull Base Reconstruction ◽  
Partial Necrosis ◽  
Necrotic Region

Background: Vascularized nasoseptal flaps allow for the reconstruction of large dural defects and have remarkably reduced the incidence of postoperative complications during endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery. Nevertheless, some complications related to nasoseptal flap have been reported. Flap necrosis is a rare, but serious issue is associated with meningitis and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. Case Description: We performed endoscopic endonasal removal of the tuberculum sella meningioma in a 39-year-old woman with a history of Turner syndrome using abdominal fat, fascia, and a vascularized nasoseptal flap for dural and skull base defect reconstruction. After surgery, she developed CSF leak, and reoperation revealed partial necrosis of the septal flap that caused leakage. At this time, with a concern that removal of the necrotic part may lead to the insufficient size of the flap, we filled the gap tightly with fat pieces. However, the CSF leak recurred, and thus, we performed debridement of the necrotic region and reformed the multilayered reconstruction, following which she no longer experienced CSF leakage. Conclusion: Our case suggested that partial rather than total flap necrosis could occur, possibly due to variances of vascular anatomy, leading to focal ischemia. Debridement of the necrotic region may be an important solution for recurrent cerebrospinal leakage secondary to partial necrosis of a nasoseptal flap.

scholarly journals Endoscopic Endonasal Reconstruction of High-Flow Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak with Fascia Lata “Button” Graft and Nasoseptal Flap: Surgical Technique and Case Series

2019 ◽  
Vol 81 (06) ◽  
pp. 645-650
Author(s):  
Roshni V. Khatiwala ◽  
Karthik S. Shastri ◽  
Maria Peris-Celda ◽  
Tyler Kenning ◽  
Carlos D. Pinheiro-Neto
Keyword(s):  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Skull Base ◽  
Fascia Lata ◽  
High Flow ◽  
Csf Leak ◽  
Nasoseptal Flap ◽  
Endoscopic Endonasal ◽  
Skull Base Reconstruction ◽  
Csf Diversion ◽  
Csf Leaks

Abstract Background The endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) has become increasingly used for resection of skull base tumors in the sellar and suprasellar regions. A nasoseptal flap (NSF) is routinely used for anterior skull base reconstruction; however, there are numerous additional allografts and autografts being used in conjunction with the NSF. The role of perioperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion is also unclear. Objective This study was aimed to analyze success of high-flow CSF leak repair during EEA procedures without use of CSF diversion through lumbar drainage. Methods A retrospective chart review of patients who had intraoperative high-flow CSF leak during EEA procedures at our institution between January 2013 and December 2017 was performed. CSF leaks were repaired with use of a fascia lata button graft and nasoseptal flap, without use of perioperative lumbar drains. Results A total of 38 patients were identified (10 male, 28 female). Patient BMIs ranged from 19.7 to 49 kg/m2 (median = 31 kg/m2), with 18 patients meeting criteria for obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m2) and 12 patients overweight (25 kg/m2 < BMI < 29.9 kg/m2). There was no incidence of postoperative CSF leak. Conclusion In our experience, the nasoseptal flap used in conjunction with the fascia lata button graft is a safe, effective and robust combination for cranial base reconstruction with high-flow intraoperative CSF leaks, without need for lumbar drains.

Surgical nuances for nasoseptal flap reconstruction of cranial base defects with high-flow cerebrospinal fluid leaks after endoscopic skull base surgery

2012 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. E7 ◽  
Author(s):  
James K. Liu ◽  
Richard F. Schmidt ◽  
Osamah J. Choudhry ◽  
Pratik A. Shukla ◽  
Jean Anderson Eloy
Keyword(s):  
Skull Base ◽  
Skull Base Surgery ◽  
Cranial Base ◽  
High Flow ◽  
Csf Leak ◽  
Reconstruction Technique ◽  
Dural Defect ◽  
Nasoseptal Flap ◽  
Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery ◽  
Csf Leakage

Extended endoscopic endonasal approaches have allowed for a minimally invasive solution for removal of a variety of ventral skull base lesions, including intradural tumors. Depending on the location of the pathological entity, various types of surgical corridors are used, such as transcribriform, transplanum transtuberculum, transsellar, transclival, and transodontoid approaches. Often, a large skull base dural defect with a high-flow CSF leak is created after endoscopic skull base surgery. Successful reconstruction of the cranial base defect is paramount to separate the intracranial contents from the paranasal sinus contents and to prevent postoperative CSF leakage. The vascularized pedicled nasoseptal flap (PNSF) has become the workhorse for cranial base reconstruction after endoscopic skull base surgery, dramatically reducing the rate of postoperative CSF leakage since its implementation. In this report, the authors review the surgical technique and describe the operative nuances and lessons learned for successful multilayered PNSF reconstruction of cranial base defects with high-flow CSF leaks created after endoscopic skull base surgery. The authors specifically highlight important surgical pearls that are critical for successful PNSF reconstruction, including target-specific flap design and harvesting, pedicle preservation, preparation of bony defect and graft site to optimize flap adherence, multilayered closure technique, maximization of the reach of the flap, final flap positioning, and proper bolstering and buttressing of the PNSF to prevent flap dehiscence. Using this technique in 93 patients, the authors' overall postoperative CSF leak rate was 3.2%. An illustrative intraoperative video demonstrating the reconstruction technique is also presented.

scholarly journals Endoscopic endonasal resection of epidermoid cysts involving the ventral cranial base

2019 ◽  
Vol 130 (5) ◽  
pp. 1599-1608
Author(s):  
Jonathan A. Forbes ◽  
Matei Banu ◽  
Kurt Lehner ◽  
Malte Ottenhausen ◽  
Emanuele La Corte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cranial Nerves ◽  
Cranial Base ◽  
Csf Leak ◽  
Nasoseptal Flap ◽  
Total Resection ◽  
Endoscopic Endonasal ◽  
Epidermoid Cysts ◽  
Flap Coverage ◽  
Csf Leakage ◽  
The Impact

OBJECTIVEEpidermoid cysts (ECs) commonly extend to involve the ventral cisterns of the cranial base. When present, symptoms arise due to progressive mass effect on the brainstem and adjacent cranial nerves. Historically, a variety of open microsurgical approaches have been used for resection of ECs in this intricate region. In recent years, the endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) has been proposed as an alternative corridor that avoids crossing the plane of the cranial nerves. To date, there is a paucity of data in the literature regarding the safety and efficacy of the EEA in the treatment of ECs of the ventral cranial base.METHODSThe authors reviewed a prospectively acquired database of EEAs for resection of ECs over 8 years at Weill Cornell, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. All procedures were performed by the senior authors. Standardized clinical and radiological parameters were assessed before and after surgery. Statistical tests were used to determine the impact of previous surgery and tumor volume on extent of resection and recurrence as well as the method of closure on rate of CSF leak.RESULTSBetween January 2009 and February 2017, 7 patients (4 males and 3 females; age range 16–70 years) underwent a total of 8 surgeries for EC resection utilizing the EEA. Transplanum and transclival extensions were performed in 3 and 5 patients, respectively. Methods of closure incorporated a gasket seal in 6 of 8 procedures and a nasoseptal flap in 7 of 8 procedures. Gross-total resection (GTR) was achieved in 43% of patients, and near-total resection (> 95%) was obtained in another 43%. Complications included diabetes insipidus (n = 2), postoperative CSF leak (n = 2), transient third cranial nerve palsy (n = 1), and epistaxis (n = 1). With a mean follow-up of 43.5 months, recurrence has been observed in 2 of 7 patients. In 1 case, reoperation for recurrence was required 71 months following the initial surgery. Use of the gasket-seal technique with nasoseptal flap coverage significantly correlated with the absence of postoperative CSF leakage (p = 0.018). GTR was achieved in 25% of the patients who had prior surgeries and in 50% of patients without previous resections. The mean volume of cysts in which GTR was achieved (4.3 ± 1.8 cm3) was smaller than that in which subtotal or near-total resection was achieved (12.2 ± 11 cm3, p = 0.134).CONCLUSIONSThe EEA for resection of ECs of the ventral cranial base is a safe and effective operative strategy that avoids crossing the plane of the cranial nerves. In the authors’ experience, gasket-seal closure with nasoseptal flap coverage has been associated with a decreased risk of postoperative CSF leakage.

Endoscopic transoral surgery for craniovertebral junction anomalies

2006 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 367-373 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mazhar Husain ◽  
Manu Rastogi ◽  
Bal Krishna Ojha ◽  
Anil Chandra ◽  
Deepak K. Jha
Keyword(s):  
Minimally Invasive ◽  
Soft Tissues ◽  
Craniovertebral Junction ◽  
Transoral Surgery ◽  
Surgical Trauma ◽  
Psychological Burden ◽  
Endoscopic Techniques ◽  
Microsurgical Decompression ◽  
Complex Anatomy ◽  
Lower Clivus

✓Craniovertebral junction (CVJ) anomalies continue to be challenging for neurosurgeons because of the complex anatomy of this region. To date, microsurgical decompression via a transoral route is the standard treatment for anteriorly located compressive lesions of the cervicomedullary junction (CMJ). The results obtained by minimizing surgical trauma are fewer complications, shorter hospital stays, and reduced overall psychological burden. Endoscopic surgery is becoming a leading modality in minimally invasive neurosurgical treatment. The authors performed surgery in 11 patients with irreducible osseous dislocations resulting from CVJ abnormality during a 2-year period. Anterior CMJ decompression was achieved in all patients by performing neuroendoscopically controlled transoral excision of bone and soft tissues. The surgical technique and results will be discussed. The use of the endoscope offers several advantages in cases requiring a transoral approach to the lower clivus and atlantoaxial region. The use of minimally invasive endoscopic techniques has the potential to reduce the need for a wider cranial base opening and to decrease postoperative complications.

scholarly journals Nasoseptal flap necrosis: a rare complication of endoscopic endonasal surgery

2018 ◽  
Vol 128 (5) ◽  
pp. 1463-1472 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph D. Chabot ◽  
Chirag R. Patel ◽  
Marion A. Hughes ◽  
Eric W. Wang ◽  
Carl H. Snyderman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skull Base ◽  
Final Analysis ◽  
Csf Leak ◽  
Nasoseptal Flap ◽  
Endoscopic Endonasal Surgery ◽  
Endoscopic Endonasal ◽  
Skull Base Reconstruction ◽  
University Of Pittsburgh ◽  
The University ◽  
Pittsburgh Medical

OBJECTIVEThe vascularized nasoseptal flap (NSF) has become the workhorse for skull base reconstruction during endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES) of the ventral skull base. Although infrequently reported, as with any vascularized flap the NSF may undergo ischemic necrosis and become a nidus for infection. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s experience with NSF was reviewed to determine the incidence of necrotic NSF in patients following EES and describe the clinical presentation, imaging characteristics, and risk factors associated with this complication.METHODSThe electronic medical records of 1285 consecutive patients who underwent EES at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center between January 2010 and December 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. From this first group, a list of all patients in whom NSF was used for reconstruction was generated and further refined to determine if the patient returned to the operating room and the cause of this reexploration. Patients were included in the final analysis if they underwent endoscopic reexploration for suspected CSF leak or meningitis. Those patients who returned to the operating room for staged surgery or hematoma were excluded. Two neurosurgeons and a neuroradiologist, who were blinded to each other’s results, assessed the MRI characteristics of the included patients.RESULTSIn total, 601 patients underwent NSF reconstruction during the study period, and 49 patients met the criteria for inclusion in the final analysis. On endoscopic exploration, 8 patients had a necrotic, nonviable NSF, while 41 patients had a viable NSF with a CSF leak. The group of patients with a necrotic, nonviable NSF was then compared with the group with viable NSF. All 8 patients with a necrotic NSF had clinical and laboratory evidence indicative of meningitis compared with 9 of 41 patients with a viable NSF (p < 0.001). Four patients with necrotic flaps developed epidural empyema compared with 2 of 41 patients in the viable NSF group (p = 0.02). The lack of NSF enhancement on MR (p < 0.001), prior surgery (p = 0.043), and the use of a fat graft (p = 0.004) were associated with necrotic NSF.CONCLUSIONSThe signs of meningitis after EES in the absence of a clear CSF leak with the lack of NSF enhancement on MRI should raise the suspicion of necrotic NSF. These patients should undergo prompt exploration and debridement of nonviable tissue with revision of skull base reconstruction.

scholarly journals The Corkscrew Technique – A Minimally Invasive, Trans-nasal Anterior Skull Base Reconstruction Using a Wedge-shaped Construct for Treatment of Cerebro-Spinal Fluid Leak

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yazid Samih Badarny ◽  
Iddo Paldor ◽  
Samih Badarny ◽  
Ziv Gil ◽  
Gill Sviri
Keyword(s):  
Skull Base ◽  
Lateral Displacement ◽  
Standard Technique ◽  
Fascia Lata ◽  
Anterior Skull Base ◽  
Spinal Fluid ◽  
Csf Leak ◽  
Transnasal Approach ◽  
Skull Base Reconstruction ◽  
Csf Leakage

Abstract Background : Cerebro-spinal fluid rhinorrhea may follow surgical and traumatic events, and may be spontaneous. Various techniques have been employed for reconstruction of the skull base following a CSF leak. Recent years have seen the development of endoscopic, transnasal techniques for reconstruction of the anterior skull base. We describe our experience with a novel corkscrew technique (CST), which entails harvesting a fascia lata graft, and placement of a wedge-shaped construct above the aperture in the skull base dura. This technique serves to prevent dislodgement of the construct extracranially, and lateral displacement of the construct away from the opening. Methods : We operated 28 cases of CSF leak, in 26 patients, with a transnasal endoscopic approach. Twelve were operated using the CST and 16 with standard technique (ST), with a mean follow-up of over 5 years.Results : The success rate in alleviating the leak was 91.7% in the CST group, and 87.5% in the ST group. Altogether, our complication rate was 8.3% in the CST group, and 37.5% in the ST group. None of the differences were statistically significant. Conclusions : We recommend the use of a wedge-shaped, fascia lata based construct for transnasal endoscopic repair of anterior skull base CSF leaks. Keywords: rhinorrhea, pituitary adenoma, CSF leakage, endoscopic transnasal approach, fascia lata.

Endonasal management of sellar arachnoid cysts: simple cyst obliteration technique

2012 ◽  
Vol 116 (4) ◽  
pp. 728-740 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy McLaughlin ◽  
Alexander Vandergrift ◽  
Leo F. Ditzel Filho ◽  
Kiarash Shahlaie ◽  
Amalia A. Eisenberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skull Base ◽  
Cyst Wall ◽  
Arachnoid Cysts ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Fat Graft ◽  
Csf Leak ◽  
Simple Cyst ◽  
Skull Base Reconstruction ◽  
Presenting Symptoms ◽  
Csf Leakage

Object Symptomatic sellar arachnoid cysts (ACs) have typically been treated via the transsphenoidal route. After sellar cyst wall fenestration, some authors have advocated cyst wall resection and increasing communication between the AC and suprasellar subarachnoid space (SAS). This study is a report of the authors' experience using a simplified approach to reinforce a defective diaphragma sellae or unseen arachnoid diverticulum by deliberately not enlarging the AC-SAS communication and obliterating the cyst cavity with adipose tissue followed by skull base reconstruction. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted of patients who underwent an endonasal transsphenoidal obliteration of symptomatic ACs with a fat graft and skull base repair. Results Between July 1998 and September 2010, 8 patients with a sellar AC were identified (6 women and 2 men, mean age 57 years). Clinical presentation included headache, pituitary dysfunction, and visual dysfunction (4 patients each group). Maximal cyst diameter averaged 22 mm (range 15–32 mm). In all cases the sellar communication to the SAS was deliberately not enlarged. The endoscope was used for visualization in 8 of 9 procedures. Postoperatively, headache improved in all 4 patients, vision in all 4 patients, and partial resolution of endocrine dysfunction (hyperprolactinemia and/or recurrent hyponatremia) occurred in 3 (75%) of 4 patients. No new endocrinopathy, CSF leak, meningitis, or neurological deficits occurred. Two patients experienced cyst reaccumulation: 1 symptomatic recurrence was treated with reoperation at 43 months postsurgery, and 1 asymptomatic partial recurrence continued to be monitored at 29 months postsurgery. Conclusions Sellar ACs can be effectively treated using endonasal fenestration and obliteration with fat with resultant reversal of presenting symptoms in the majority of patients. This simplified technique of AC cavity obliteration without enlarging communication to the SAS has a low risk of CSF leakage, and in most cases appears to effectively disrupt cyst progression, although longer follow-up is required to monitor for cyst recurrence.

scholarly journals Anterior skull base reconstruction using nasoseptal flap: cadaveric feasibility study and clinical implication [SevEN-001]

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyoung Su Sung ◽  
Jaejoon Lim ◽  
Minkyun Na ◽  
Sanghun Lee ◽  
Ju-Seong Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skull Base ◽  
Endoscopic Resection ◽  
Frontal Sinus ◽  
Posterior Wall ◽  
Anterior Skull Base ◽  
Nasoseptal Flap ◽  
Endoscopic Endonasal ◽  
Skull Base Reconstruction ◽  
Csf Leakage ◽  
Formalin Fixed

Abstract Background Pedicled nasoseptal flap (PNSF) has significantly improved the surgical outcomes of endoscopic endonasal approach (EEAs) by reducing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage. The purpose of this study is to assess the feasibility of using a PNSF for anterior skull base (ASB) reconstruction and to describe a method to compensate for a short flap based on our results. Methods In this cadaveric study, ASB dissection without sphenoidotomy was performed using 10 formalin-fixed and 5 fresh adult cadaver specimens, and the sufficiency of the PNSF to cover the ASB was assessed. After the sphenoidotomy, the length by which the PNSF fell short in providing coverage at the posterior wall of the frontal sinus (CPFS), and the extent of the anterior coverage from the limbus (CL) of the sphenoid bone was measured. Results Without sphenoidotomy, the mean length of the remaining PNSF after the coverage of the posterior wall of the frontal sinus was 0.67 cm. After sphenoidotomy, the PNSF fell short by a mean length of 2.10 cm, in providing CPFS. The CL was 1.86 cm. Based on these findings, defects resulting from an endoscopic resection of ASB tumors were reconstructed using PNSF without total sphenoidotomy in 3 patients. There were no postoperative CSF leaks or complications. Conclusions The use of PNSF for ASB reconstruction may be insufficient to cover the entire ASB defect after removal of large lesions which need total sphenoidotomy. When possible, by leaving some portion of the anterior sphenoid wall for supporting the PNSF, successful ASB reconstruction could be achieved in endoscopic resection of ASB tumors. Additional methods might be needed in some cases of large ASB lesions wherein the anterior sphenoid wall should be removed totally and the ASB defect is too large.

Intraoperative Indocyanine Green Angiography for Assessing Flap Perfusion in Skull Base Reconstruction: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noah Shaikh ◽  
Daniel O'Brien ◽  
Chadi Makary ◽  
Meghan Turner
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Indocyanine Green ◽  
Skull Base ◽  
Csf Leak ◽  
Cochrane Central Register ◽  
Flap Necrosis ◽  
Skull Base Reconstruction ◽  
Postoperative Mri ◽  
Postoperative Meningitis ◽  
Flap Perfusion

Abstract Objective This study was aimed to study the current use of intraoperative indocyanine green (ICG) angiography during skull base reconstruction and understand its efficacy in predicting postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enhancement and flap. Study Design The Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases were searched from the date of inception until August 2020 for studies of ICG flap perfusion assessment during skull base reconstruction. The primary outcome of interest was the development of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak after skull base reconstruction. Secondary outcomes of interest included postoperative meningitis, flap MRI enhancement, flap necrosis, flap perfusion measurements, and total complications. Results Search results yielded 189 studies, from which seven studies with a total of 104 patients were included in the final analysis. There were 44 nasoseptal flaps (NSF), two lateral nasal wall flaps (LNWF), 14 pericranial flaps (PCF), and 44 microvascular free flaps. The rates of CSF leak and postoperative MRI enhancement were 11 and 94%, respectively. There was one case of postoperative meningitis. Pooled analysis of the available data showed that intraoperative ICG flap perfusion was associated with flap enhancement on postoperative MRI (p = 0.008) and CSF leak (p = 0.315) by Fisher's exact test. Conclusion The available literature suggests intraoperative ICG enhancement is associated with postoperative MRI enhancement. Given the small sample sizes in the literature and the rarity of complications associated with skull base reconstruction, intraoperative ICG enhancement has not been predictive of flap necrosis or postoperative complications such as CSF leak or meningitis. Level of Evidence This study presents level 3 evidence as a systematic review of case studies, case reports, and retrospective and prospective trials with no blinding, controls, and inconsistently applied reference standards.

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