Anterior Median Skull Base Reconstruction Using a Vascularized Free Flap: Rationale, Patient Selection and Outcome (original) (raw)

Objectives To present our method of median anterior skull base (ASB) reconstruction using a subcranial approach with a free flap in cases of naso-fronto-orbital (NFO) bony segment failure and in patients at high risk for future failure of the bony frontal segment. Design This study presents as a retrospective case series. Setting Tertiary university-affiliated medical center. Participants Adult and pediatric patients who underwent median ASB resection via the subcranial approach with a free flap reconstruction were participated in this study. Main Outcome Measures Pathologic outcome and postoperative quality of life (QoL) as assessed by a validated Hebrew version of the “Anterior Skull Base Quality-of-Life Questionnaire.” Results The departmental database yielded 13 suitable patients aged between 15 and 70 years. The main indication (n = 7) for ASB surgery was osteoradionecrosis (ORN) of the NFO bony segment which was first detected at an average of 3.6 years (range: 2–32 years) pos...