Use of Pedicled Buccal Fat Pad for Cranial Base Reconstruction

Abstract

Craniofacial reconstruction for closure of skull base defects after removal of anterior cranial base lesions is challenging. Persistent skull base defect produces extremely high risk of cerebrospinal fluid leaks and consecutive infectious complications. The authors' article focuses on the use of pedicled buccal fat pad for the reconstruction of anterior cranial base defects using combined endoscope-assisted approach and Lefort I access osteotomy. High effectiveness and minimal invasiveness are principal advantages of the technique. Other benefits include proximity of donor site to defect, simplicity of surgical technique, minimal postoperative discomfort, and very low risk of benign complications. Local pedicled grafts are the preferred material for plasty, adding aesthetic results in an ablative surgery using intraoral incision and access osteotomy. Thus, the technique solves the problem of relying on complex alloplastic reconstruction of anterior craniobasal defects.