title: Technical nuances of commonly used vascularised flaps for skull base reconstruction.
abstract: METHODS
  Reconstruction with a vascularised flap provides the most reliable outcome, with post-operative cerebrospinal fluid leak rates of less than 5 per cent. This article aims to review and summarise the critical technical aspects of the vascularised flaps most commonly used for skull base reconstruction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Vascularised flaps are classified as intranasal or extranasal. The intranasal group includes the Hadad-Bassagaisteguy nasoseptal flap, the Caicedo reverse nasoseptal flap, the nasoseptal rescue flap, the posteriorly or anteriorly based lateral wall flaps, and the middle turbinate flap. Extranasal flaps include the transfrontal pericranial and transpterygoid temporoparietal flaps.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Hadad-Bassagaisteguy nasoseptal flap is overwhelmingly favoured for reconstructing extensive defects of anterior, middle and posterior cranial base. Its pertinent technical features are described. However, it is essential to master the skills required for the various extranasal or regional vascularised flaps because each can offer a reconstructive alternative for specific patients, especially when open approaches are needed and/or intranasal vascularised flaps are not feasible.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery,Wexner Medical Centre,Ohio State University,Columbus,Ohio,USA.
authors.forename: I P
authors.initials: IP
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery,Wexner Medical Centre,Ohio State University,Columbus,Ohio,USA.
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Carrau
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery,Wexner Medical Centre,Ohio State University,Columbus,Ohio,USA.
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Otto
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery,Wexner Medical Centre,Ohio State University,Columbus,Ohio,USA.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Prevedello
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery,Wexner Medical Centre,Ohio State University,Columbus,Ohio,USA.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kasemsiri
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery,Wexner Medical Centre,Ohio State University,Columbus,Ohio,USA.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ditzel
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery,Wexner Medical Centre,Ohio State University,Columbus,Ohio,USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Muto
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery,Wexner Medical Centre,Ohio State University,Columbus,Ohio,USA.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kapucu
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology,Wexner Medical Centre,Ohio State University,Columbus,Ohio,USA.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kirsch
mesh_terms: D065634:Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak / Q000517:prevention & control; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D019291:Skull Base / Q000098:blood supply / Q000601:surgery*; D019292:Skull Base Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000601:surgery*; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000379:methods
keywords: Pedicled Flaps; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures; Skull Base; Surgical Flaps