Open and Endoscopic Open-Assisted Repair of Anterior Skull Base Defects.

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Otolaryngology
• Skull Base Surgery

Background:

• Endoscopic surgery is increasingly preferred for frontal sinus procedures.
• However, open and combined approaches are still necessary in specific complex scenarios.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the continued relevance of open and combined surgical techniques for frontal sinus pathologies.
• To describe the indications and utility of combined approaches in anterior skull base reconstruction.

Main Methods:

• Review of complex frontal sinus cases where open or combined approaches were utilized.
• Description of combined open craniotomy and endoscopic techniques for anterior skull base defect repair.

Main Results:

• Open and combined approaches are indicated for extensive tumors, visualization challenges, and cases with prior surgery or radiation.
• Combined techniques effectively repair cerebrospinal fluid leaks while preserving frontal sinus function.

Conclusions:

• Open and combined surgical strategies are indispensable for managing challenging frontal sinus conditions.
• These integrated approaches offer solutions for complex anterior skull base defects and cerebrospinal fluid leaks.