The posterior pedicled inferior turbinate-nasoseptal flap: a potential combined flap for skull base reconstruction

Abstract

Objectives: To develop a combined pedicled flap comprising the mucoperiosteum and mucoperichondrium of the inferior turbinate, lateral nasal wall, nasal floor, and nasal septum based on the posterior lateral nasal artery, a branch of the sphenopalatine artery, for the reconstruction of skull base defects resulting from endoscopic expanded endonasal approaches.

Methods: Eleven fresh adult cadaver heads were dissected. Arterial distribution patterns of the inferior turbinate, lateral nasal wall, nasal floor, and nasal septum were investigated. The posterior pedicled inferior turbinate-nasoseptal flap was designed, measured, and harvested, and its ability to cover ventral skull base defects was examined.

Results: The inferior turbinate artery and/or posterior lateral nasal artery had 3.19 ± 1.47 (range 2-7) branches [mean outer diameter of largest branch, 0.40 ± 0.10 (range 0.24-0.60) mm] that anastomosed with the nasoseptal artery. These anastomosing arteries allowed the posterior lateral nasal artery to supply arterial blood to the nasoseptal mucoperichondrium and mucoperiosteum. Mean flap length was 100.65 ± 5.61 (range 91.43-109.44) mm, and minimum and maximum widths were 25.21 ± 2.29 (range 22.36-30.23) and 44.53 ± 5.02 (range 36.45-54.10) mm, respectively. Mean flap area was 3090.69 ± 288.08 (range 2612.97-3880.09) mm(2). The flap covered defects extending from the frontal sinus to the foramen magnum in all specimens.

Conclusions: Harvesting of a posterior pedicled inferior turbinate-nasoseptal flap is feasible. It should be considered a useful option for the reconstruction of large defects involving the anterior skull base, planum sphenoidale, sella turcica, and/or clivus.

Keywords: Anatomy; Endoscopic endonasal approach; Inferior turbinate artery; Inferior turbinate–nasoseptal flap; Posterior lateral nasal artery; Skull base reconstruction.