Successful Treatment of Pneumocephalus Using a Free-Style Chimeric Free Flap From a Scarred Thigh

J Craniofac Surg. 2018 Oct;29(7):e658-e660. doi: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000004715.

Abstract

Pneumocephalus is an air collection in cranial cavity caused by accidental exposition of intracranial compartment after trauma or surgery. Skull base reconstruction with free flap is a useful surgical tool to avoid cerebral herniation or intracranial infection. The authors describe a patient of pneumocephalus following anterior skull base meningioma resection, unsuccessfully treated with 2 attempts of fascia lata grafts harvested from both thighs. A free-style chimeric anterolateral thigh free flap was performed using middle third of rectus femoris muscle to fill the planum spheno-ethmoidalis defect and adipocutaneous paddle for postoperative monitoring and for favoring a tension free skin closure. Free-style dissection with limited undermining in the previously scarred thigh was performed to avoid donor-site complication. Postoperative course was uneventful with complete resolution of the pneumocephalus.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Cicatrix
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms / complications
  • Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms / surgery
  • Perforator Flap* / blood supply
  • Pneumocephalus / surgery*
  • Postoperative Complications
  • Quadriceps Muscle / transplantation*
  • Thigh
  • Transplant Donor Site