Multicenter study on 2-year outcomes of dual application of hydroxyapatite cranioplasty and a nasoseptal flap following endoscopic endonasal surgery for tuberculum sellae meningiomas or craniopharyngiomas

Abstract

Objective: The authors evaluated the intermediate-term outcomes of a skull base reconstruction technique using hydroxyapatite cranioplasty combined with a nasoseptal flap following endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES) for suprasellar tumors. Specifically, the evaluation focused on the avoidance of lumbar CSF drainage, prevention of CSF leakage, and incidence of postoperative complications, including meningitis and nasoseptal flap necrosis, during a minimum follow-up of 2 years.

Methods: This multicenter study included patients who met the following criteria: 1) underwent EES for tuberculum sellae meningiomas or craniopharyngiomas, 2) received dual application of hydroxyapatite cranioplasty and reconstruction using a nasoseptal flap, 3) had a follow-up duration of at least 2 years, and 4) did not undergo lumbar drainage of CSF postoperatively. The success rate of reconstruction was determined based on postoperative CSF leakage, associated complications, meningitis, postoperative hospital length of stay (LOS), and would dehiscence.

Results: A total of 198 patients from three institutions diagnosed with tuberculum sellae meningioma (86 patients) or craniopharyngioma (112 patients) were included in this study. The median follow-up duration was 39 months. No patient underwent postoperative lumbar drainage of CSF. Postoperatively, only 3 patients (1.5%) experienced CSF leaks requiring reoperation. The median hospital LOS after surgery was 5 days. Other postoperative complications included atypical meningitis in 5 patients and wound dehiscence in 3 patients during the follow-up period. All patients with nonbacterial meningitis were treated with intravenous antibiotics and dexamethasone medication for 2 weeks.

Conclusions: The combination of hydroxyapatite cranioplasty and a nasoseptal flap in reconstruction following EES decreased the requirement for postoperative lumbar CSF drainage and shortened hospital LOSs with minimal morbidities. Nevertheless, careful attention to the risks of meningitis and central necrosis of a nasoseptal flap is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes.

Keywords: craniopharyngioma; endoscopic endonasal surgery; hydroxyapatite; nasoseptal flap; skull base reconstruction; tuberculum sellae meningioma.