Transcanal blind sac closure of the external auditory canal after skull base surgery to treat CSF leak: technique and results.

OBJECTIVE

To report outcomes of a novel transcanal blind sac closure technique of the external auditory canal (EAC) with obliteration of the Eustachian tube orifice to treat CSF leaks after skull base surgery.

STUDY

DESIGN

Clinical capsule report.

SETTING

University hospital.

PATIENTS: Ten patients who have undergone a transcanal blind sac closure of the EAC after skull base surgery to treat CSF leak between 2004 and 2012.

INTERVENTIONS: Transcanal blind sac closure of the EAC.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Resolution rate of postoperative CSF leak, time to final resolution of CSF leak, and complications.

RESULTS

The CSF leak resolution rate, with subsequent conservative management in some cases, is approximately 80%. One case of postsurgical pseudomeningocele was identified.

CONCLUSION

Transcanal blind sac closure of the EAC with obliteration of the Eustachian tube orifice provides a rapid and safe method to treat CSF leak after skull base surgery, without the need to reenter the original surgical wound or mastoid cavity.