Summary

Background: Endoscopic techniques have gained popularity in the repair of anterior skull base defects.

Objective: To describe the 10 year experience with endoscopic surgical repair of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea in a tertiary medical center.

Methods: The files of all patients who underwent endoscopic transnasal CSF leak repair in our institution between 1996 and 2006 were reviewed.

Results: Twenty-four patients were identified: 16 women and 7 men with a mean age of 48 years and one child aged 9.5 years. The leak was trauma-induced in 17 patients and occurred spontaneously in the other 7. The defect was localized by preoperative computed tomography or CT/cysternography in 86% of cases. A fascia lata graft was the dominant choice for defect closure, and it was combined with a conchal or septal flap, fat, periosteum, or fibrin glue in 15 patients. The success rate was 83% after the first closure attempt, 91% after the second. Two patients required a craniotomy at the third attempt. Mean hospitalization time was 6.7 days. There were two minor complications. Two patients were lost to follow-up; none of the others had a recurrence during 2 years of follow-up.

Conclusions: The endoscopic transnasal technique for the repair of CSF rhinorrhea is associated with a high success rate and low morbidity, and it should be considered for the majority of cases. Repeated attempts may improve success.