Pericranial flap fixation using titanium miniplates and screws

Abstract

Opening the frontal sinuses is a common occurrence during neurosurgical procedures involving the anterior cranial base. Obliteration of the exposed sinuses is usually accomplished packing them with various materials and/or covering them with an anteriorly-based pericranial flap. In the absence of more extensive cranial base defects, the flap only needs to be wrapped around the sinus and secured against its posterior wall. We describe the technique for and the results of using titanium miniplates and screws to secure the pericranial flap to the inner surface of the frontal bone. In 10 patients treated with this alternative technique, the pericranial flap provided an excellent separation between the sinuses and the intradural compartment. No cases of cerebrospinal fluid leakage or infections were observed.

Key Words:

• Frontal craniotomy
• miniplates
• pericranial flap