Management of Skull Base Defects After Surgical Resection of Sinonasal and Ventral Skull Base Malignancies

Abstract

Over the past 2 decades, there has been a significant increase in the resection of larger and more complex ventral skull base malignancies. The resection of these lesions has resulted in the creation of larger and more difficult to repair skull base defects. There are many available options for ventral skull base reconstruction. Despite the variety of reconstructive options, the key objective is to eliminate any communication between the intracranial space and the sinonasal cavity. This article discusses some of the more common techniques currently used for repair of these skull base defects.

Keywords: Cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea; Dural defect; Endoscopic repair techniques; Endoscopic skull base surgery; Expanded skull base approaches; Nasoseptal flap; Skull base defects; Skull base repair.