A practical and economical method for frontal sinus reconstruction after frontal craniotomy: A single-center experience with 140 patients

Abstract

BackgroundFrontal sinus exposure is a common consequence of frontal craniotomy. Cerebrospinal fluid leakage and infection are the major postoperative complications that may occur as a result of the open frontal sinus. The successful filling of the open frontal sinus provides an approach to prevent significant complications caused by frontal sinus exposure.ObjectiveThis article describes a new technique to reconstruct the exposed frontal sinus cavity with the combined application of gelatin sponge and a vascularized pericranial flap.MethodsA total of 140 patients underwent frontal sinus reconstruction using gelfoam and vascularized pericranial flaps from 2016 to 2021. Gelatin sponge was used to fill the frontal sinus, and a vascularized pericranial flap was used to cover the frontal sinus when the bone flap was retracted.ResultsPostoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage and infection did not occur in any patient.ConclusionOur results validated the effectiveness of our technique in the prevention of exposed frontal sinus-related postoperative complications.