Skull base reconstruction after EEA (endoscopic endonasal approach) – review of 164 cases

Abstract

Aim of the study: To show our postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak rate for patients who underwent endoscopic endonasal approach for anterior and middle fossa pathology. Materials and methods: Retrospective analysis of 164 patients with anterior and middle fossa pathology, operated via endoscopic endonasal approach between 2018 and 2021, with minimal postoperative follow-up of three months. Results: We managed to reduce the postoperative CSF leak rate from 12.4% (2014–2018) to 2.4%. The CSF leaks were as following: grade 0, 0%, grade 1, 3.85%, grade 2, 8.3%, grade 3 6.9%. Conclusion: A planned graded approach in managing skull base defects reduces the postoperative CSF leak rate. Our CSF leak rate of 2.4% is comparable with international standards for endoscopic endonasal approach.

Keywords

• skull base – surgery; cranial fossa
• anterior – pathology
• surgery; cranial fossa
• middle – pathology