Updates in reconstruction of skull base defects.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Skull base surgery has undergone a fundamental transformation with the development and rapid adoption of endoscopic endonasal expanded approaches. Defects created from these newer approaches have necessitated an evolution of novel reconstructive techniques, which are reviewed here.

RECENT FINDINGS

New reconstructive techniques continue to be developed for repairing surgical defects from endoscopic endonasal skull base resections. Improvisations also allow well known flaps to be used in these approaches. Long term outcomes from repair using some of these techniques are now becoming available.

SUMMARY

Endoscopic resection of previously unapproachable skull base lesions has become possible with advancements in technology, as well as reconstructive methods. These newer techniques may offer improved outcomes and lower morbidity over conventional surgery.