Endoscopic Transnasal Repair of CSF Leaks: Our Practice and Review of the Literature

Objective: Endoscopic repair of CSF leaks of the anterior skull base have been well described since the early 1980s. We describe our variation on the septal mucoperichondrial flap and stepwise approach to investigation and management of the patient and compare it to the current literature.

Design: Review of current departmental practice and comparison with available peer-reviewed literature in the English language.

Patients/Materials and Methods: Case review based on practice from two hospitals (1 teaching hospital and 1 district general hospital).

Results/Conclusions: Endoscopic repair of CSF leaks of the anterior skull base via a septal mucoperichondrial flap technique is highly effective and can be safely carried out in both the district general hospital and teaching hospital setting.