Skull Base 2007; 17(1): 025-037
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-959333
Copyright © 2007 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

A Comprehensive Algorithm for Anterior Skull Base Reconstruction after Oncological Resections

Ziv Gil1 , Avraham Abergel1 , Leonor Leider-Trejo2 , Avi Khafif1 , Nevo Margalit3 , Aharon Amir4 , Eyal Gur4 , Dan M. Fliss1
  • 1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
  • 2Institute of Pathology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
  • 3Department of Neurosurgery, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
  • 4Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
08 January 2007 (online)

ABSTRACT

Objective: To present our method for anterior skull base reconstruction after oncological resections. Methods: One hundred nine patients who had undergone 120 anterior skull base resections of tumors (52 malignant [43%], 68 benign [57%]) via the subcranial approach were studied. Limited dural defects were closed primarily or reconstructed using a temporalis fascia. Large anterior skull base defects were reconstructed by a double-layer fascia lata graft. A split calvarial bone graft, posterior frontal sinus wall, or three-dimensional titanium mesh were used when the tumor involved the frontal, nasal, or orbital bones. A temporalis muscle flap was used to cover the orbital socket for cases of eye globe exenteration, and a rectus abdominis free flap was used for subcranial-orbitomaxillary resection. Pericranial flap wrapping of the frontonaso-orbital segment was performed to prevent osteoradionecrosis if perioperative radiotherapy was planned. Results: The incidence of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, intracranial infection, and tension pneumocephalus was 5%. Histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis of fascia lata grafts in reoperated patients (n = 7) revealed integration of vascularized fibrous tissue to the graft and local proliferation of a newly formed vascular layer embedding the fascial sheath. Conclusion: A double-layer fascial graft alone was adequate for preventing CSF leak, meningitis, tension pneumocephalus, and brain herniation. We describe a simple and effective method of anterior skull base reconstruction after resections of both malignant and benign tumors.

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Ziv GilM.D. Ph.D. 
Dan M FlissM.D. 

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center

Tel-Aviv University, 6 Weizman St., Tel-Aviv 64239, Israel

Email: ziv@dot.co.il

Email: fliss@tasmc.health.gov.il