Search

Background: The impact of failed cerebrospinal fluid leak (CSF) leak repair in endoscopic skull base surgery has not been adequately studied., Methods: In this investigation we reviewed patients who had undergone endoscopic skull base surgery between 2002 and 2014 at 7 international centers. Demographic variables, comorbidities, tumor characteristics, and repair techniques were evaluated to determine association with successful repair of CSF leak. Postoperative complications and length of stay were compared among groups., Results: Data were collected on 2097 patients who were divided into 3 groups: (1) those with no intraoperative leak (n = 1533); (2) those with successful repair of their intraoperative leak (n = 452); and (3) those with failed repair (n = 112). Compared with successful repair, failed repair was associated with an increased risk of intracranial infection (odds ratio [OR], 5.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 5.3-13.15), pneumocephalus (OR, 16; 95% CI, 5.8-44.4), 30-day readmission (OR, 8.4; 95% CI, 5.3-13.5), reoperation (OR, 115.4; 95% CI, 56.3-236.8), and prolonged hospital stay (14.9 vs 7.0 days, p < 0.01). Outcomes in patients who had successful repairs of intraoperative leaks were similar to those who never had leakage. Intraoperative use of pedicled nasoseptal flaps was associated with successful repair (OR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.34-0.92)., Conclusion: Intraoperative CSF leaks are a frequent and expected occurrence during endoscopic skull base surgery. Failed CSF leak repair has a significant impact on patient outcomes, with increased rates of postoperative pneumocephalus, intracranial infections, reoperation, deep vein thrombosis, readmission, and prolonged hospital stay. Recognition and repair of intraoperative CSF leaks reduces postoperative complications. Use of pedicled nasoseptal flaps improves outcomes in reconstructing defects at higher risk for postoperative leak., (© 2016 ARS-AAOA, LLC.)

Background: In patients undergoing transnasal endoscopic sellar surgery, an analysis of risk factors and predictors of intraoperative and postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak (CSF) would provide important prognostic information., Methods: A retrospective review of patients undergoing endoscopic sellar surgery for pituitary adenomas or craniopharyngiomas between 2002 and 2014 at 7 international centers was performed. Demographic, comorbidity, and tumor characteristics were evaluated to determine the associations between intraoperative and postoperative CSF leaks. Correlations between reconstructive and CSF diversion techniques were associated with postoperative CSF leak rates. Odds ratios (OR) were identified using a multivariate logistic regression model., Results: Data were collected on 1108 pituitary adenomas and 53 craniopharyngiomas. Overall, 30.1% of patients had an intraoperative leak and 5.9% had a postoperative leak. Preoperative factors associated with increased intraoperative leaks were mild liver disease, craniopharyngioma, and extension into the anterior cranial fossa. In patients with intraoperative CSF leaks, postoperative leaks occurred in 10.3%, with a higher postoperative leak rate in craniopharyngiomas (20.8% vs 5.1% in pituitary adenomas). Once an intraoperative leak occurred, craniopharyngioma (OR = 4.255, p = 0.010) and higher body mass index (BMI) predicted postoperative leak (OR = 1.055, p = 0.010). In patients with an intraoperative leak, the use of septal flaps reduced the occurrence of postoperative leak (OR = 0.431, p = 0.027). Rigid reconstruction and CSF diversion techniques did not impact postoperative leak rates., Conclusion: Intraoperative CSF leaks can occur during endoscopic sellar surgery, especially in larger tumors or craniopharyngiomas. Once an intraoperative leak occurs, risk factors for postoperative leaks include craniopharyngiomas and higher BMI. Use of septal flaps decreases this risk., (© 2016 ARS-AAOA, LLC.)

Background: The goal of this study was to identify preoperative risk factors associated with increased perioperative morbidity after endoscopic pituitary surgery., Methods: A retrospective review of patients undergoing endoscopic pituitary adenoma surgery between 2002 and 2014 at 6 international centers was performed. Standard demographic and comorbidity data, as well as information regarding tumor extent and treatment were collected. Logistic regression was used to examine risk factors for the following 30-day outcomes: systemic complications, intracranial complications, postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks, length of hospital stay, readmission, and reoperation., Results: Data was collected on 982 patients with a mean age of 52 years. The median body mass index (BMI) for all patients was 30.9 kg/m(2) with 56% female. The median hospital stay was 5 days and 23.8% of patients suffered a postoperative adverse event. Systemic complications occurred in 3.2% of patients and intraventricular extension was a risk factor (odds ratio [OR] 8.9). Intracranial complications occurred in 7.3% of patients and risk factors included previous radiation (OR 8.6) and intraventricular extension (OR 7.9). Reoperation occurred in 6.5% of patients and intraventricular extension (OR 7.3) and age (<40 years, OR 3.5; 40 to 64 years, OR 3.2) were risk factors. Postoperative CSF leaks occurred in 5.5% of patients and risk factors included female gender (OR 2.4), BMI ≥ 30 (OR 2.1), age (<40 years, OR 5.3; 40 to 64 years, OR, 7.9), and intraventricular extension (OR, 9.5)., Conclusion: Postoperative endoscopic pituitary adenoma surgery complications are associated with tumors with intraventricular extension, preoperative radiation, as well as common patient comorbidities. Identification of these factors may permit implementation of strategies to reduce postoperative complications., (© 2015 ARS-AAOA, LLC.)