Frontal sinus obliteration with the pericranial flap.
BACKGROUND
Frontal sinus obliteration is often accomplished by autologous grafts such as fat, muscle, or bone. These avascular grafts carry an increased risk of resorption and infection as well as donor site morbidity. Vascular regional flaps may be used to obliterate small sinuses with less morbidity.


OBJECTIVE
To review our experience with the use of the pericranial flap for obliteration of the frontal sinus.


METHODS
The records of 10 patients who underwent obliteration of the frontal sinus with the pericranial flap were reviewed. Demographics, indications for frontal sinus obliteration, immediate and late complications, and long-term outcome were recorded. These results were compared with those in the current literature.


RESULTS
Ten sinuses were obliterated with the pericranial flap. Indications included frontal sinus mucocele, mucopyocele, frontal sinus osteomyelitis, and frontal sinus fracture. The median follow-up was 3 years. There was 1 short-term complication of persistent headache for 1 month, and there was asymptomatic recurrence of a neofrontal sinus in 1 case.


CONCLUSIONS
The pericranial flap is a vascularized local flap that is easily harvested. The use of the pericranial flap avoids donor site morbidity associated with free fat or cancellous bone grafts. The pericranial flap arms the head and neck surgeon with an effective alternative to other methods of frontal sinus obliteration.
Department of Otolaryngology, SUNY-Brooklyn, NY, USA.
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Parhiscar
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Har-El
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000637:transplantation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005626:Frontal Sinus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D010254:Paranasal Sinus Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012886:Skull / Q000637:transplantation*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed