Vascularized Flaps for Anterior Skull Base Defects

A variety of techniques exist for the reconstruction of skull base defects. However, the gold standard for skull base reconstruction is vascularized flaps, especially when there is a cerebrospinal fluid leak. The most frequently used flap is the nasoseptal flap, which has numerous applications, has relatively low morbidity, and is straightforward to harvest. When this flap is unavailable, other options include the inferior turbinate flap, middle turbinate flap, lateral wall flap, pericranial flap, and temporoparietal fascia flap.