Cerebrospinal fluid leak after microvascular reconstruction of large craniofacial defects with orbital exenteration

Abstract Objectives: To assess risk factors for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak after microvascular reconstruction of extensive cranio-orbitofacial resection with orbital exenteration (CFOE). Study Design: Retrospective Case Series Methods: 70 consecutive patients at a tertiary hospital underwent 76 procedures with microvascular reconstruction of CFOE defects. Patients were stratified by extent of skull base exposure and presence or absence of dural resection. Patients with exposure of the orbital apex and roof alone were classified as minimal skullbase exposure (MSE, n=32). Those with exposure beyond the orbital apex and roof were classified as significant skullbase exposure (SSE, n=38), including those with dural resection (n=23). The main outcome measure was incidence of postoperative CSF leak according to univariate and multivariate analysis of risk factors. Results: Five patients developed a postoperative CSF leak, and 3 required operative management. All 5 were SSE with dural resection and had middle fossa exposure, previous radiation and 4 had previous surgery. None of the MSE group or SSE without dural resection or SSE with anterior fossa exposure alone developed a CSF leak. Multivariate analysis revealed middle fossa exposure to be the only significant predictor of CSF leak (p=0.03). The overall complication rate was 31.6%. Major complications were greater in the SSE group (p=0.05). Conclusion: Middle fossa exposure increases the risk of CSF leak in microvascular reconstruction of CFOE defects.https://jdc.jefferson.edu/otoposters/1003/thumbnail.jp