A practical and economical method for frontal sinus reconstruction after frontal craniotomy: A single-center experience with 140 patients

BACKGROUND: Frontal sinus exposure is a common consequence of frontal craniotomy. Cerebrospinal fluid leakage and infection are the major postoperative complications that may occur as a result of the open frontal sinus. The successful filling of the open frontal sinus provides an approach to prevent significant complications caused by frontal sinus exposure. OBJECTIVE: This article describes a new technique to reconstruct the exposed frontal sinus cavity with the combined application of gelatin sponge and a vascularized pericranial flap. METHODS: A total of 140 patients underwent frontal sinus reconstruction using gelfoam and vascularized pericranial flaps from 2016 to 2021. Gelatin sponge was used to fill the frontal sinus, and a vascularized pericranial flap was used to cover the frontal sinus when the bone flap was retracted. RESULTS: Postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage and infection did not occur in any patient. CONCLUSION: Our results validated the effectiveness of our technique in the prevention of exposed frontal sinus-related postoperative complications.