Anterior skull base reconstruction after tumour resection using the posterior wall of the frontal sinus.

INTRODUCTION

The authors describe their experience of surgical closure of the anterior skull base after tumour resection, using the posterior wall of the frontal sinus.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: The authors describe their anterior skull base closure technique performed in three patients after tumour resection. Tumour resection via a transglabellar approach resulted in an anterior skull base defect. Reconstruction consisted of direct implantation of the posterior wall of the frontal sinus without using a bone substitute (except when nasofrontal duct obstruction is required).

RESULTS

Three patients were operated by this surgical procedure with complete tumour resection in every case and no infectious complications. This technique was easy to perform, despite one case of persistent CSF leak. Follow-up imaging showed no displacement of the onlay bone graft.

CONCLUSION

Anterior skull base reconstruction after tumour resection using autologous frontal sinus bone graft is easy to perform with a low complication rate.