To describe a single layer fascia patchwork closure (FPWC) without nasoseptal flap (NSF), and compare the postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage between FPWC using NSF and single layer FPWC without NSF for the extended endoscopic transsphenoidal transtuberculum transplanum approach.
Total of 45 cases of suprasellar tumors were treated with extended endoscopic transsphenoidal removal, resulting in large and high-flow CSF leakage. Following the intradural procedure for treatment of various suprasellar tumors, fascia lata was inlaid subdurally on the cranial base defect, and patch-sutured around its entire circumference under endoscope visualization, using an average of 17 stitches. Septal bone or hydroxyapatite plate was used for the hard support material against pulsatile intracranial pressure. NSF was added in the earlier 17 cases. Closure was completed without NSF in the more recent 28 cases when Valsalva maneuver proved watertight closure. Two recent cases required NSF after Valsalva maneuver, and were included in the FPWC + NSF group.
Postoperative CSF leakage did not occur in the FPWC + NSF group, but occurred in 2 cases in the single layer FPWC group (7.1%) (P = 0.52). There was no significant difference in CSF leakage between single layer FPWC and FPWC with NSF. The mean suturing time for FPWC was 85.8 minutes, and the shortest was 39 minutes in a recent case (mean 17 stitches, n = 35, video analysis).
Single layer FPWC may be one of the technical options for effective skull base reconstruction after the extended endoscopic transsphenoidal transtuberculum transplanum approach.

Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Author