Affiliation:
1. Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
2. Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
3. Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
Abstract
AbstractObjectiveTo review surgical techniques used in the endoscopic transnasal repair of pediatric basal meningoencephaloceles and compare perioperative outcomes in children <2 and ≥2 years old.Data SourcesMEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL.Review MethodsData sources were searched from inception to August 22, 2022, using search terms relevant to endoscopic transnasal meningoencephalocele repair in children. Reviews and Meta‐analyses were excluded. Primary outcomes were the incidence of intraoperative and postoperative complications, including cerebrospinal fluid leak, recurrence, and reintervention. Quality assessments were performed using Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale, ROBIN‐I, and NIH.ResultsOverall, 217 patients across 61 studies were identified. The median age at surgery was 4 years (0‐18 years). Fifty percent were female; 31% were <2 years. Most defects were meningoencephaloceles (56%), located transethmoidal (80%), and of congenital origin (83%). Seventy‐five percent of repairs were multilayered. Children ≥2 years underwent multilayer repairs more frequently than those <2 years (P = 0.004). Children <2 years more frequently experienced postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leaks (P = 0.02), meningoencephalocele recurrence (P < 0.0001), and surgical reintervention (P = 0.005). Following multilayer repair, children <2 years were more likely to experience recurrence (P = 0.0001) and reintervention (P = 0.006).ConclusionYounger children with basal meningoencephaloceles appear to be at greater risk of postoperative complications following endoscopic endonasal repair, although the quality of available evidence is weakened by incomplete reporting. In the absence of preoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak or meningitis, it may be preferable to delay surgery as access is more conducive to successful repair in older children.