Extended pericranial flap and bone graft reconstruction in anterior skull base surgery

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study was to establish a rationale for repairing large anterior skull base defects with an extended pericranial flap and split calvarial bone graft; to define large anterior skull base defects as those spanning the anterior cranial measuring at least 3.0 × 4.0 cm; and to describe the surgical technique and compare it with alternative strategies.

STUDY DESIGN: Thirty-four patients underwent anterior craniofacial resection of anterior skull-based tumors of varying histology with reconstruction using an extended pericranial flap and split calvarial bone graft.

RESULTS: The survival of the pericranial flap and bone graft was maintained in 33 of 34 patients. There was 1 episode of postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak, 1 episode of osteomyelitis of the bone graft and an epidural abscess, and 1 episode of asymptomatic pneumocephalus.

CONCLUSION: Split calvarial bone graft with an extended pericranial flap is an effective technique for reconstructing large anterior skull base defects.

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