title: Reconstruction of the median anterior skull base with an intracranial free radial forearm flap after recurrent resection of tumour.
abstract: We report a case of a median anterior skull base defect that was reconstructed with a free radial forearm flap. The flap was used intracranially, whereas the vascular anastomosis was made extracranially, with the pedicle running through a burr hole in the skull. This technique was succesful in sealing the skull base from the nasal cavity and preventing leakage of cerebrospinal fluid, infection, or herniation of brain tissue. We report the reconstructive procedure, an overview of other options, and the reasons for the decisions in this case.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery.
authors.forename: Nathalie C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Duchateau
authors.forename: Niels
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Komen
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dua
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mertens
authors.forename: Steven D M
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Colpaert
mesh_terms: D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008579:Meningioma / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D019291:Skull Base / Q000601:surgery; D019292:Skull Base Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps
keywords: Reconstruction of skull base; anterior skull base reconstruction; dural repair; flap selection; limiting complications; long vascular pedicle; microsurgical anastomosis; radial forearm flap; skull base defects