Anterior cranial base reconstruction using a hydroxyapatite-tricalciumphosphate composite (Ceratite) as a bone...

The craniofacial approach to cranial base tumors has widened the operability of tumors with intracranial invasion. However, the resulting skull base defect must be reconstructed adequately to prevent postoperative morbidity and mortality. We use hydroxyapatite-tricalciumphosphate ceramic (Ceratite) as a bone substitute material to reconstruct the skull base defect in combination with the pericranial flap, ensuring separation between the sinonasal cavity and epidural cavity. Although the nasal surface of the Ceratite block is left exposed directly to the sinonasal cavity, it was shown to be epithelialized within 6 months postoperatively. Our method is less invasive than any other conventional method and may offer more chance of curative resection of tumors with anterior skull base invasion.