Structural pedicled mucochondral-osteal nasoseptal flap: a novel method for orbital floor reconstruction after sinonasal and skull base tumor resection

Pedicled nasal flaps in transnasal endoscopic surgery: review of indications and surgical techniques

At present an exclusive endoscopic endonasal approach is sufficient in the majority of cases to treat pathologies involving the sinonasal compartment and the surrounding anatomical subsites (e.g. orbit, ventral skull base, upper parapharyngeal space, etc.) with the advantage of minimising surgical invasiveness. In this context, nasal vascularised local flaps are widely employed because they represent a more effective option for reconstruction or preservation of noble/vital structures compared to grafts. On the other hand, the surgical extension and morbidity are minimised compared to regional or free flaps. Several nasal local flaps have been described in the literature: the aim of this review is to examine their applications, characteristics, indications, success rates and morbidities. Different nasal flaps based on single or multiple pedicles have been described; the choice between them is based on different factors such as the flap’s shape and dimension, localisation of the pedicle’s origin, width of rotation angle, previous surgeries which could compromise vascularisation, and surgical experience, in addition to the position and dimension of the area which must be resurfaced.

Reconstruction of Anophthalmic Sockets With Pedicled Nasoseptal Flap

PURPOSE

Patients who undergo eye removal often present with orbital soft-tissue insufficiency and contraction of the eye sockets. The most commonly used reconstruction strategy is grafting the orbit with free grafts, which is associated with the drawback of harvesting tissue from an unconnected site. This study describes the use of the vascularized nasoseptal flap in the reconstruction and enlargement of the contracted anophthalmic cavity in patients with severe or recurrent contracted eye sockets and evaluates its efficacy.

METHODS

A sphenopalatine-pedicled flap from the nasal septum was harvested and mobilized into the anophthalmic orbit for the reconstruction, coverage, and enlargement of the socket in 17 patients with anophthalmic socket syndrome. Data regarding the demographics, preoperative status, postoperative findings, follow-up, outcomes, dates of mutilant and reconstructive surgery, and relevant clinical or imaging were collected.

RESULTS

Krishna´s classification was used to assess the postoperative outcomes. The final rating improved in all patients at a median follow-up duration of 35 months. A greater impact was observed in patients who underwent reconstructive surgery before nasoseptal flap creation. Two minor complications occurred; however, major surgical intervention was not required. Implant extrusion was observed in 2 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The novel strategy of applying nasoseptal flaps in the reconstruction of anophthalmic sockets results in improved socket grading and a low rate of recurrence (socket contracture or implant extrusion), and complications. The vascular nature of the flap makes it suitable for use in complex cases.

Triple Layer Oronasal Fistula Repair Using Local Endonasal Flaps: Case Series of Three Patients

Oronasal fistula (ONF) is a common complication encountered after palatoplasty. Repair is indicated when symptoms impact speech and swallowing. In spite of the variety of surgical approaches described to repair these defects, recurrence rates remain high. Traditionally, successful closure is said to be achieved in using a double-layered approach due to the three-dimensional aspect of the defect. The extent of the fistula into the nasal cavity has incited an increased curiosity in using local endonasal flaps. In recent years, endonasal reconstructive procedures have seen increased interest and application, from cranial base defect repairs to orbital reconstruction and beyond. The nasoseptal (NSF) and inferior turbinate flaps (ITF) possess a robust arterial supply and an exceptional reach with excellent results demonstrated in large defect repair. However, the use of these flaps in ONF repair is scarcely discussed in the literature, and their effectiveness is relatively undetermined. In this manuscript, we present a series of three patients who underwent a triple layer ONF closure, with the oral portion incorporating a turn-in mucosal flap plus a local palate rotation flap or greater palatine artery pedicled-rotation flap, and a NSF or an ITF for the nasal portion of the defect.

Mucosal resurfacing of the suprastructure maxillectomy cavity using nasal cavity mucosa flaps

OBJECTIVE

We analyzed clinical data of patients in which the suprastructure maxillectomy site was covered with nasal cavity mucosa flaps with or without free mucosa graft from the nasal septum, to determine the usefulness of this procedure.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of four edentulous patients who had the suprastructure maxillectomy site covered using nasal cavity mucosa flaps with or without free mucosa graft from the nasal septum between 2014 and 2020, were analyzed.

RESULTS

All patients underwent suprastructure maxillectomy using the external approach. There were no major complications resulting from surgical intervention. Radiotherapy (RT) was performed in all patients after surgery. All nasal cavity mucosa flaps survived after RT. There was mild cheek retraction, but to a degree that was cosmetically tolerable in all patients. Local recurrence and distant metastasis to the orbit occurred in one patient. Among four patients, two patients died during follow-up, including one tumor related death and one death from old age.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrated that the use of nasal cavity mucosal flap to cover the suprastructure maxillectomy cavity was effective in improving the patient's quality of life by minimizing wound problems and facial contour changes such as cheek retraction despite postoperative RT.

Composite Chondromucosal Nasoseptal Flap for Reconstruction of Suprasellar Defects

BACKGROUND

The pedicled nasoseptal flap (NSF) is the mainstay for endoscopic skull base reconstruction. We present a novel technique using a semirigid chondromucosal NSF that improves the reinforcement and protection of intracranial structures.

METHODS

Composite NSFs were performed to repair intraoperative high-flow cerebrospinal fluid leaks in 2 patients who had undergone endoscopic endonasal resection of a suprasellar mass. The surgical technique and postoperative outcomes are described.

RESULTS

The flaps were sufficient for defect coverage, and the patients did not experience any cerebrospinal fluid leak in the immediate and delayed postoperative periods. No complications related to the composite flap had developed.

CONCLUSIONS

The composite chondromucosal NSF is a reliable reconstruction option for select ventral cranial base reconstruction cases with the potential to improve the protection of intracranial structures. Additional surgical cases and longer follow-up are required for a better assessment of long-term outcomes.

Vascular pedicled flaps for skull base defect reconstruction

OBJECTIVE

Techniques for reconstruction of skull base defects have advanced greatly since the introduction of the vascular pedicled nasoseptal flap in 2006. The objective of this review is to assess the current state of the field by examining both intranasal and extranasal techniques of vascular pedicled skull base defect repair, their indications and success rates, and novel techniques that are currently under investigation.

METHODS

A review of the literature describing the use of vascular pedicled flaps in skull base defect reconstruction was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar.

RESULTS

The nasoseptal flap remains the most widely used vascular pedicled flap for endoscopic repair of skull base defects. Its ease of harvest, wide arch of rotation, and high success rates make it a popular choice among surgeons. Several variations including a "rescue" nasopseptal flap have been developed. Other less commonly used pedicled intranasal flaps include the middle turbinate flap and the posterior pedicled inferior turbinate flap. Additionally, several novel vascular pedicled flaps have been developed and tested in small cohorts of patients. Extranasal flaps such as the pericranial flap and the temporoparietal fascia flap are used less frequently than intranasal flaps. However, they remain valuable options for reconstruction in certain situations.

CONCLUSION

Advancements continue to be made in the field of skull base defect reconstruction using vascular pedicled flaps. Though the nasoseptal flap remains the most widely utilized option, additional intranasal techniques continue to be developed and tested to optimize surgical outcomes and patient care.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

NA.

Reconstruction of Orbital Walls with Bone Cement in a Maxillectomy Patient

Orbital wall defects occur because of trauma and secondary to oncologic surgery. Reconstruction of orbital bones is of most importance to ensure normal eye functions and cosmesis. Acrylic resin materials can be used instead of a bone in orbital wall defects that are secondary to the resection of tumors invading the orbita. Polymethyl methacrylate is one of the acrylic resin materials. In this study, the orbital wall reconstruction technique with bone cement after maxillectomy and results are reported.

Updates in reconstruction of skull base defects

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Skull base surgery has undergone a fundamental transformation with the development and rapid adoption of endoscopic endonasal expanded approaches. Defects created from these newer approaches have necessitated an evolution of novel reconstructive techniques, which are reviewed here.

RECENT FINDINGS

New reconstructive techniques continue to be developed for repairing surgical defects from endoscopic endonasal skull base resections. Improvisations also allow well known flaps to be used in these approaches. Long term outcomes from repair using some of these techniques are now becoming available.

SUMMARY

Endoscopic resection of previously unapproachable skull base lesions has become possible with advancements in technology, as well as reconstructive methods. These newer techniques may offer improved outcomes and lower morbidity over conventional surgery.