Publication:

Vascularized middle turbinate mucoperiosteal flap in skull base defects: follow-up analysis of 20 cases

Background Vascularized flaps are preferred in repair of skull base defects since they provide quality tissue volume and allow rapid healing. Though nasoseptal flap is the gold standard it may not be available always and has its own share of pitfalls; this makes the middle turbinate flap a viable alternative. This descriptive study was designed to analyze the efficacy of middle turbinate flap in endoscopic closure of skull base defects and to define indications and limitations of the flap.

Methods 20 patients who underwent endoscopic closure of small and medium sized skull base defects using middle turbinate mucoperiosteal flap were analyzed and followed up. Etiology, presentation, site and co-morbidities associated with such defects were studied. Effectiveness of closure was analyzed by the ability to cover fully, graft uptake and complications.

Results Successful flap take up was noted in all 20 cases (100%) on long term follow up; transient cerebrospinal fluid leak was observed in 1case (5%) during the immediate post-operative period which subsided fully. Spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea (n=11 [55%]) was the most common indication for closure and unilateral watery rhinorrhea was the commonest presentation (n=13 [65%]). Benign intracranial hypertension was found to have significant association with cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea. Most common site of leak was the medial lamella of cribriform plate (n=11 [55%]).

Conclusions Middle turbinate flap is an effective alternative to nasoseptal flap for small and medium sized anterior skull base defects; efficacy in larger defects and posterior sellar defects cannot be substantiated.