Aim: Multilayer reconstruction of skull base using nasal pedicled mucosal flap has been widely accepted as a standard method for repairing high flow cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] leakage. In this study, we analyzed our outcome and summarized several valuable operation experiences from this technique.

Material and Methods: This study included 20 consecutive patients who underwent endoscopic endonasal multilayer reconstruction using a nasal pedicled mucosal flap to repair high flow CSF leakage and were available for follow-up.

Results: In this series, all cases encountered intraoperative high-flow CSF leakage, including 11 (55%) patients with opening of third ventricles (TV) and 9 (45%) patients with wide opening of cistern (CS). After endoscopic endonasal multilayer reconstruction with nasal pedicled mucosal flap, 3 patients (15.0%) encountered CSF leakage in the early postoperative period but were successfully repaired; 2 patients (10.0%) encountered late postoperative CSF leakage. In the TV group, the ratio of CSF leakage was 18.2% (2/11); while the incidence of CSF leakage was 11.1% (1/9) in the CS group. One patient developed meningitis due to CSF leakage four month after surgery, then gave up treatment and died.

Conclusion: Multilayer reconstruction with nasal pedicled flap seems to be useful and reliable for the treatment of ventral skull base defects using endoscopic endonasal approach.