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Published on: June 20, 2018
Middle turbinate mucosal flap: Low-morbidity option in the management of skull base defects
Claudio Carnevale1, Guillermo Til-Pérez1, Manuel Tomás-Barberán1
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Son Espases University Hospital, Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
Background:
To describe the low morbidity of middle turbinate mucosal flap (MTMF) to repair anterior skull base defects.
Methods:
Skull base endonasal endoscopic surgeries performed at a tertiary hospital between 2015 and 2018 were analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups according the existence or not of a significant intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. In Group 1 (n = 28), gasket seal and a pedicled endonasal flap were used to repair the defect: 13 nasoseptal flaps (NSF), 8 inferolateral wall flaps (ILF), and 7 MTMF. In Group 2 only an endonasal flap was used: 9 NSF, 4 ILF, and 18 MTMF. Surgical and recovery time were analyzed (Student's t test). Our favorite surgical technique is described.
Results:
Fifty-nine patients were included. Average surgical time was 27.7, 41.6, and 11.3 min for NSF, ILF, and MTMF, respectively. MTMF showed a faster recovery.
Conclusion:
MTMF is a safe reconstructive option for anterior skull base defects.
