Janus flap: bilateral nasoseptal flaps for anterior skull base reconstruction

Abstract

Objective: Large dural defects after extended endoscopic endonasal skull base resections require meticulous reconstruction to prevent a cerebrospinal fluid leak postoperatively. The nasoseptal flap is a vascularized tissue graft developed to aid in the multilayer reconstruction of the skull base. The purpose of this study is to describe the first experiences with bilateral nasoseptal flaps for reconstruction of very large skull base defects.

Study design: Prospective, observational study.

Setting: Large tertiary referral center (New York Presbyterian Hospital).

Subjects and methods: Five patients underwent a multilayer reconstruction after an extended endoscopic transsphenoidal skull base surgery that included bilateral nasoseptal flaps. Pathologies consisted of two pituitary macroadenomas, one planum sphenoidale meningioma, one craniopharyngioma, and one cavernous sinus hemangioma.

Results: All five patients underwent successful skull base reconstruction without a cerebrospinal fluid leak, complication at the reconstruction site, or anterior extension of the posterior septal perforation.

Conclusion: Bilateral nasoseptal flaps are a viable option for large dural defects of the anterior and ventral skull base when one nasoseptal flap may not completely seal the entire defect.