Reconstructive options for skull defects following translabyrinthine surgery for vestibular schwannomas

Comparison of Cranioplasty Techniques Following Translabyrinthine Surgery: Implications for Postoperative Pain and Opioid Usage

OBJECTIVE

To assess differences in postoperative pain, opioid usage, and surgical outcomes between cranioplasty using abdominal fat graft (AFG) versus hydroxyapatite cement (HAC) following translabyrinthine surgery.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective case control.

SETTING

Tertiary referral center.

PATIENTS

Sixty translabyrinthine procedures were evaluated, including 30 consecutive HAC patients and 30 matched AFG patients. Patients were matched by age, gender, body mass index, and tumor size.

INTERVENTION

Cranioplasty using HAC or AFG following translabyrinthine resection of vestibular schwannoma.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Postoperative patient pain ratings, narcotic usage, inpatient length of stay, and complication rates.

RESULTS

Patients who underwent HAC cranioplasty had lower postoperative pain scores on several measures (p < 0.05) and less postoperative narcotic usage (mean difference of 36.7 morphine equivalents, p = 0.0025) when compared to those that underwent AFG closure. HAC cranioplasty patients had shorter average length of hospital stay (2.2 vs 3.4 days, p = 0.0441). Postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leaks (one in HAC group, two in AFG group) and skin reactions in AFG closure patients (n = 1) were infrequent.

CONCLUSION

HAC cranioplasty is a safe technique comparable to AFG closure following translabyrinthine surgery which can decrease postoperative pain, narcotic usage, and hospital length of stay.

"Benefits of the pedicled osteoplastic flap as a surgical approach of mastoidectomy in cochlear implant surgery"

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the esthetic and functional results of an osteoplastic flap for mastoid cavity closure in cochlear implant surgery.

STUDY DESIGN

Double-blind, prospective, randomized clinical trial.

SETTING

tertiary referral center.

INTERVENTION(S)

On hundred and twenty-six patients were randomized in 2 groups for cochlear implant surgery. Cases (n: 63) underwent simple mastoidectomy using an anteriorly pedicled osteoplastic flap for mastoid closure. In controls (n: 63), a traditional periosteal flap was used. Evaluation with the POSAS questionnaire was performed 1 year after surgery to assess surgical wound esthetics. Sixteen patients from each group had postoperative CT-scans and wideband tympanometry to assess mastoid aeration and middle ear absorbance. Gender and time after surgery were correlated.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Evaluation of the quality of the surgical wound with the application of a questionnaire validated in the medical literature and translated into Portuguese language called POSAS, considering the perception of the blinded patient and doctor regarding the surgical technique proceeded. A lower POSAS score suggests better esthetics of the surgical wound. Secondary outcomes are volumetric measurement of aeration inside mastoid cavity using 3D computer tomography exam, which aims to analyze the influence of fibrocicatricial retraction in the surgical wound into the mastoid and the interference of its aeration volume in the absorption of sound in the middle ear, using the wideband tympanometry exam.

RESULTS

The POSAS questionnaire in the Case group showed a lower level of local pain and itchiness, a skin color and thickness more similar to the surrounding skin and less irregularity and stiffness, with no influence from time after surgery and gender compared to the Control group. The median tomographic volume was 6.37 cc in the cases and 4.60 cc in controls. Wideband tympanometry showed general smaller sound absorbance in the Case group results, specially, at 1000 Hz frequency. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were observed with the osteoplastic flap.

CONCLUSIONS

This technique is an effective and safe alternative to alleviate common problems of mastoid surgery for cochlear implantation. In addition to esthetic benefits, it has less interference in middle ear physiology of sound absorbance and less fibrous tissue into the mastoid cavity during the follow-up of more than 1 year.

Hydroxyapatite cement cranioplasty for translabyrinthine surgery: A single institution experience

OBJECTIVE

To assess complication rates in hydroxyapatite cement (HAC) cranioplasty for translabyrinthine acoustic surgery compared with historical controls.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review of patients undergoing de novo translabyrinthine surgery with HAC cranioplasty without concurrent adipose tissue graft or additional material between 2010 and 2017 at a tertiary otology center.

RESULTS

Fifty-two patients underwent HAC cranioplasty during the study period. The average length of follow-up was 30.5 months. HAC cranioplasty was associated with acceptable rates of cerebrospinal fluid leak (3.8%), wound or intracranial infection (5.8%), need for unplanned revision surgery (9.6%), and all complications (15.3%). All complications occurred within 5 months of surgery. No delayed wound infections or implant extrusions occurred.

CONCLUSION

HAC cranioplasty has an acceptable complication profile for translabyrinthine surgery and is a viable alternative to abdominal fat grafting without associated donor site morbidity.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4 Laryngoscope, 130:206-211, 2020.

Use of an Osteoplastic Flap for the Prevention of Mastoidectomy Retroauricular Defects

Introduction After mastoidectomy, patients usually complain of bone depressions in the retroauricular region in the surgical site, especially in procedures that require extensive cortical resections. This causes inconveniences such as difficulty wearing glasses, cleaning, and aesthetics complaints.

Objective This study aims to describe a vascularized flap surgical technique that uses the mastoid cortical bone adhered to the periosteum, which is pedicled on the anterior portion and repositioned at the end of the surgery. This ensures the coverage of the mastoid cavity generated by surgery and prevents ear retraction into the cavity. This preliminary report describes the technique and intraoperative and immediate postoperative complications.

Methods After retroauricular incision, periosteal exposure is performed. A U-shaped incision is required for the procedure and delimits a periosteum area appropriate to the size of the mastoidectomy. The cortical bone is opened using a 2.5 mm drill around the perimeter of the “U,” at a 3 mm depth. A chisel is introduced through the surface cells of the mastoid, and a hammer evolves into the anterior direction. The flap is lifted, leaving the periosteum adhered to it and forming a cap. The flap is anteriorly fixed to not hinder the surgery, and repositioned at the end. The periosteum is then sutured to the adjacent periosteum.

Results The first 14 cases had no intraoperative complications and were firm and stable when digital pressure was applied during the intraoperative and immediate postoperative periods.

Conclusion The osteoplastic flap pedicle is a safe and simple procedure, with good results in the immediate postoperative period.

The use of abdominal free fat for volumetric augmentation and primary dural closure in supratentorial skull base surgery: managing the stigma of a temporal defect

The most prominent stigma of supratentorial skull base surgery is the defect caused by wasting of the temporalis muscle by denervation, devascularization, or rotation of the muscle. Any of the above may lead to a unilateral temporal deformity informally referred to patients as "the divot in my head." Abdominal free fat grafting has been used by surgeons for years to close posterior fossa defects with excellent results. We present our experience using abdominal free fat grafts to improve cosmetic results and to prevent cerebrospinal fluid leaks in supratentorial skull base surgery. The basic technique and its benefits are described.

Prevention of postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leaks with multilayered reconstruction using titanium mesh-hydroxyapatite cement cranioplasty after translabyrinthine resection of acoustic neuroma

OBJECT

Several prophylactic surgical methods have been tried to prevent CSF leakage after translabyrinthine resection of acoustic neuroma (TLAN). The authors report an improvised technique for multilayer watertight closure using titanium mesh-hydroxyapatite cement (HAC) cranioplasty in addition to dural substitute and abdominal fat graft after TLAN.

METHODS

The study was limited to 42 patients who underwent TLAN at University Hospitals Case Medical Center using this new technique from 2006 to 2012. Systematic closure of the surgical wound in layers using temporalis fascia, dural substitute, dural sealant, adipose graft, titanium mesh, and then HAC was performed in each case. Temporalis muscle and eustachian tube obliteration were not used. The main variables studied were patient age, tumor size, tumor location, cosmetic outcome, length of hospitalization, and the incidence of CSF leak, pseudomeningocele, and infection.

RESULTS

Excellent cosmetic outcome was achieved in all patients. There were no cases of postoperative CSF rhinorrhea, incisional CSF leak, or meningitis. Cosmetic results were comparable to those achieved using HAC alone. This cost-effective technique used only a third of the HAC required for traditional closure in which the entire mastoid defect is filled with cement, predisposing to infection. Postoperative CT and MRI showed excellent bony contouring and dural reconstitution, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors report on successful use of titanium mesh-HAC cranioplasty in preventing postoperative CSF leak after TLAN in all cases in their series. The titanium mesh provides a well-defined anatomical dissection plane that would make reoperation easier than working through scarred soft tissue. The mesh bolsters the fat graft and keeps HAC out of direct contact with mastoid air cells, thereby reducing the risk of infection. The cement cranioplasty does not preclude subsequent implantation of a bone-anchored hearing aid.

Fascial sling technique for dural reconstruction after translabyrinthine resection of acoustic neuroma: technical note

Reconstruction of presigmoid dural defects after resection of acoustic neuromas via the translabyrinthine approach is paramount to prevent postoperative CSF leakage. However, primary dural reapproximation and achieving a watertight closure of the dural defect in this anatomical region are quite difficult. Standard closure techniques after the translabyrinthine approach often involve packing an abdominal fat graft that plugs the dural defect and mastoidectomy cavity. This technique, however, may pose the risk of direct compression of the fat graft on the facial nerve and brainstem. Nonetheless, even with the evolution in dural repair techniques, postoperative CSF leaks can still occur and provide a route for infection and meningitis. In this report, the authors describe a novel dural “sling” reconstruction technique using autologous fascia lata to repair presigmoid dural defects created after translabyrinthine resection of acoustic neuromas. The fascia lata is sewn to the edges of the presigmoid dural defect to create a sling to suspend the fat graft within the mastoidectomy defect. A titanium mesh plate embedded in porous polyethylene is secured over the mastoidectomy defect to apply pressure to the fat graft. In the authors' experience, this has been a successful technique for dural reconstruction after translabyrinthine removal of acoustic neuromas to prevent postoperative CSF leakage. There were no cases of CSF leakage in the first 8 patients treated using this technique. The operative details and preliminary results of this technique are presented.

A novel method of translabyrinthine cranioplasty using hydroxyapatite cement and titanium mesh: a technical report

We report a novel technique for closure using titanium mesh cranioplasty in addition to hydroxyapatite cement and abdominal fat graft for acoustic neuroma. We reviewed 15 patients who underwent translabyrinthine craniectomy for resection of acoustic neuroma. Hearing loss was documented prior to surgical procedure. Over 2 years, patients underwent titanium mesh and hydroxyapatite cranioplasty with abdominal fat graft. Participants included seven men and eight women, age range 38 to 65. Main outcome measures included cosmetic outcome and incidence of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. The lesion was right-sided in seven patients and left-sided in eight. Cosmetic outcome was excellent in all. There were no cases of CSF leak. Closure used one-third the hydroxyapatite required for traditional closure. Our technique yields cosmetic results equivalent to hydroxyapatite cement alone and a comparable incidence of CSF leakage without leaving a drain in place postoperatively. The technique is easy to adopt, is more cost-effective than hydroxyapatite cement cranioplasty alone, offers greater ease of access for reoperation, and does not preclude later implantation of bone-anchored hearing aid.

Construction of titanium cranioplasty plate using craniectomy bone flap as template

In recent times a steady rise in cranioplasty operations has been noted because of increasing utilisation of decompressive craniectomy for trauma as well as stroke patients. A variety of techniques have been utilised for cranioplasty, with their own benefits and limitations. Titanium cranioplasty is one of the well-established and widely used techniques, with most centres utilising computer-assisted reconstruction for manufacture of titanium plates. In this paper we present a novel method for making titanium cranioplasty plates using the craniectomy bone flap as a template and the results of our experience. To date we have performed 51 cranioplasties using this method. The surgical results have been comparable to those obtained using the computer-assisted model technique. The construction cost for titanium cranioplasty plates using this method has been pound 360 cheaper per plate compared with the computer-assisted method. In addition, the CT workload and radiation exposure have been reduced.