title: Successful reconstruction of refractory posttraumatic skull base defects with free radial forearm flap.
abstract: After our experience with two patients who had persistent posttraumatic defects of the anterior skull base, we recommend using a deepithelialized free radial forearm flap for one-stage reconstruction. The flap provides a thin, water-tight barrier between the cranial cavity and the subcranial spaces for effective prevention of cerebrospinal fluid leakage and ascending infection. It is particularly useful when local flap options are not available.
authors.affiliation: First Department of Plastic Surgery, Ospedale Borgo Trento, Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lorenzini
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mazza
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Scevola
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Barisoni
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004677:Encephalocele / Q000209:etiology; D005004:Ethmoid Bone / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D019291:Skull Base / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot