First experience with transnasal and transseptal endoscopic and microscopic repair of anterior skull base CSF fistulae

Currently, endoscopic endonasal surgery is a valuable and safe procedure routinely performed for treatment of paranasal sinus disorders. Since the endoscopic technique has become popular in this area, interest has been increased in its possible use for some other indications such as transsphenoidal pituitary and anterior skull base surgery. In this paper, we present our experience in using the nasal endoscope for repair of anterior skull base cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistulae. Between 1994-1999, we observed 44 patients with CSF rhinorrhea. Out of 44 patients, 34 had improved with the conservative treatment in two weeks, in 10 patients endoscopic surgery was performed and in one patient endoscopic surgery failed and the defect was repaired with transsphenoidal microscopic surgery. The remaining 9 patients were doing well and no problem was encountered concerning the surgery.