Pericranial flap for the closure of defects of craniofacial resection

Malignant neoplasms involving the ethmoid sinuses mandate en bloc resection via the craniofacial approach. This technique leaves a direct communication between the nasal chamber and the extradural space to be closed. The elevation of dura from the nasal chamber and the extradural space to be closed. The elevation of dura from the anterior chamber and the extradural space to be closed. The elevation of dura from the anterior cranial fossa and cribriform area may result in small dural tears, CSF leak and/or CNS infections. We have utilized an inferiorly based pericranial flap and a laterally based osteoplastic bone flap to successfully close this space and dural defects. The laterally based bone flap allows insetting pericranial flap without compromising the vascularized inferior base and gives generous exposure of the area to be resected. This approach has been used successfully in four patients in the last year. Three patients had esthesioneuroblastomas and the fourth had a squamous cell carcinoma of the maxilloethmoid complex. This communication describes the technique and lists advantages of the inferiorly based pericranial flap.