Transnasal endoscopic closure of cerebrospinal fluid leaks.

Abstract

To demonstrate an effective method for transnasal endoscopic closure of anterior skull base fistulas that does not involve lumbar drains or fat packing. Retrospective. We reviewed the charts of 36 patients who had 37 anterior skull base defects that were repaired endoscopically between 1993 and 2001. Thirty-three defects were successfully closed on the first attempt. Three were successfully closed on the second attempt. One large defect was repaired by neurosurgery after a failed endoscopic attempt. Our results are similar to those of other published series. Our method is effective and does not require adjuvant procedures or prolonged hospital stays.