U-shaped Dural Flap: A Simple Method for Transcranial Skull Base Defect Repair-Technical Report.

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Skull Base Surgery
• Cerebrovascular Surgery

Background:

• Accidental anterior skull base defects during surgery present significant treatment challenges.
• Postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea remains a complication despite various repair methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a novel U-flap technique for repairing an accidental dural defect in the anterior skull base.
• To evaluate the efficacy of this technique in preventing CSF rhinorrhea.

Main Methods:

• A 56-year-old female underwent surgery for a paraclinoid internal carotid artery aneurysm.
• An accidental dural defect occurred during anterior clinoid process removal and optic canal unroofing.
• The defect was repaired using an intraoperatively created U-flap.

Main Results:

• The U-flap technique provided a secure closure of the dural defect.
• The patient experienced no postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea.
• The patient was discharged on postoperative day 3 with no evidence of CSF leakage on follow-up.

Conclusions:

• The U-flap technique is an effective method for repairing accidental anterior skull base dural defects.
• This technique can successfully prevent postoperative CSF rhinorrhea, improving patient outcomes.