Endoscopic reconstruction of anterior and middle cranial fossa defects using acellular dermal allograft.

Abstract

To report our experience in reconstructing defects of the anterior and middle cranial fossa skull base using endoscopic placement of acellular dermal allograft (AlloDerm, LifeCell Corp., The Woodlands, TX). Retrospective chart review. In all cases, the skull base repair was completed with a similar technique. After identification of the defect boundaries, endoscopic transnasal repair was performed through placement of a layered reconstruction of acellular dermal allograft, septal bone/cartilage, and acellular dermal allograft, which were all placed on the intracranial side of the defect. A mucosal free graft was draped over the reconstruction. Fibrin glue was used to hold the mucosal graft in place, and the reconstruction was supported by both absorbable and nonabsorbable nasal packing. Eight patients with nine skull base defects underwent the procedure for repair of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea. All defects were successfully repaired. One patient underwent successful reconstruction of bilateral ethmoid roof defects that resulted from endoscopic resection of ethmoid adenocarcinoma. Twenty-four patients underwent primary resection of hypophyseal adenomas. Twenty-three patients had macroadenomas, and intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid leaks were noted in 11 patients. Sellar repairs after trans-sphenoidal hypophysectomy were successful in 22 of 24 patients. One patient with hypophysectomy required reoperation (1 of 24 [4%]) for secondary closure of a cerebrospinal fluid leak. Serious complications were avoided in all patients. Patients were followed for a period ranging from 5 to 57 months (mean period, 34 mo). Acellular dermal allograft can be successfully used for the reconstruction of anterior and middle cranial fossa skull base defects. This allograft, which is easy to manipulate endoscopically, provides an effective seal and barrier in skull base reconstruction and avoids the need for a donor site.