Endoscopic repair of cribriform plate cerebrospinal fluid leaks: An easy and reproducible technique sparing the middle turbinate

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of patients with cribriform cerebrospinal fluid leaks undergoing endoscopic repair with an easy and reproducible middle turbinate-sparing technique. Material and methods: Date was obtained by retrospective chart review and includes a description of the technique with technical pearls and contraindications to the approach. Results: We report 17 patients who underwent repair of cribriform cerebrospinal fluid leaks with a middle turbinate-sparing technique with 100% success rate at a mean follow up of 38 months. One patient complained of hyposmia. There were no other complications. Conclusions: The endoscopic middle turbinate-sparing approach to repair cribriform cerebrospinal fluid leaks using a free mucosal graft is easy, effective, and reproducible.