Combined use of a gasket seal closure and a vascularized pedicle nasoseptal flap multilayered reconstruction technique for high-flow cerebrospinal fluid leaks after endonasal endoscopic skull base surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of the combined use of a gasket seal closure and a vascularized pedicle nasoseptal flap (VP-NSF) multilayered reconstruction technique for high-flow cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks resulting from endonasal endoscopic skull base surgery.

METHODS: From October 2009-June 2011, a VP-NSF multilayered reconstruction technique was used (single technique group) for patients with intraoperative high-flow CSF leaks; from July 2011-February 2013, a combination of a gasket seal closure and a VP-NSF multilayered reconstruction technique was used (combined technique group). A lumbar drain was placed after the operation. The rates of postoperative CSF leaks and repair-related complications in the 2 groups were analyzed.

RESULTS: The single technique group comprised 18 patients with a mean follow-up of 31.7 months; there were 5 postoperative CSF leaks (27.7%). The combined technique group comprised 15 patients with a mean follow-up of 13.6 months; no CSF leaks occurred (P < 0.05). The rate of intracranial infection in the single technique group was significantly higher than in the combined technique group.

CONCLUSIONS: The combined use of a gasket seal closure and a VP-NSF multilayered reconstruction technique for high-flow CSF leaks after endonasal endoscopic skull base surgery may significantly reduce the rates of postoperative CSF leaks and intracranial infections. Lumbar drainage after the operation is a necessary auxiliary method.