Endoscopic Endonasal Repair of Recurrent Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak With Adipofascial Anterolateral Thigh Free Flap: Case Report and Review of Literature.

Abstract

Background. Cerebrospinal fluid leaks are the most common complication of endoscopic endonasal skull base tumor resection. The workhorse nasoseptal flap or other vascularized intranasal flaps may not be a viable option in patients who have previously undergone surgery or local radiation; in these cases, pericranial flaps may also be unavailable. Free flap reconstruction in patients undergoing endoscopic resection is challenging because of limited exposure. The transmaxillary approach has recently been reported for free flap reconstruction of these defects. This report describes a patient with a pituitary tumor who underwent craniotomy and resection of a pituitary mass via an endoscopic endonasal approach. Postoperatively, the patient developed a high flow cerebrospinal fluid leak that did not resolve with lumbar drain and attempts at endoscopic revision of nasoseptal flap. An adipofascial anterolateral thigh free flap was harvested, based on the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral vessels. An upper gingivobuccal sulcus incision was used to access the maxilla. Openings were created in the anterior and medial maxillary sinus to create a passage to the sphenoid sinus. The flap was inset into the defect via this transmaxillary channel. The pedicle was tunneled subcutaneously through the cheek to recipient facial vessels. The procedure resulted in complete resolution of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea and pneumocephalus. Imaging at 18 months showed the flap in good position. This report describes the technique in detail along with a review of the current literature.