Frontal Sinus Obliteration Utilizing Autogenous Abdominal Fat Graft

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Frontal sinus fractures have always been unique because of the controversy surrounding their ideal treatment protocol and the fatal complications that could follow if the wrong treatment opts.AIM: The purpose of this study was to assess clinically and radiographically frontal sinus obliteration technique utilising autogenous abdominal fat graft.PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was carried out on 20 patients having anterior table fracture of their frontal sinuses indicated for sinus obliteration. All sinuses were obliterated using autogenous abdominal fat graft. Post-operatively, patients were clinically evaluated for any signs or symptoms of intracranial infections, wound dehiscence, sinus affections, or aesthetic deformity. Computerized tomography (CT) radiographic evaluations were carried out immediately and 12 months postoperatively to evaluate any uneventful healing of the graft.RESULTS: Clinical follow-up showed no cerebrospinal fluid leak, no postoperative infection or wound dehiscence in 18 cases. There were two cases however that showed infection. Radiographic follow-up revealed uneventful healing of the abdominal fat grafts with no abnormality detected in the sinus cavity throughout the whole postoperative period.CONCLUSION: Autogenous abdominal fat graft appears to be a successful obliteration material in the frontal sinus cavity and is beneficial in fractures of the anterior table.