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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Dural repair in areas with limited operative maneuverability has long been a challenge in skull base surgery. Without adequate dural closure, postoperative complications, including cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak and infection, can occur.OBJECTIVE: To show a novel method by which nonpenetrating, nonmagnetic titanium microclips can be used to repair dural defects in areas with limited operative access along the skull base.METHODS: We reviewed 53 consecutive surgical patients in whom a dural repair technique utilizing titanium microclips was performed from 2013 to 2016 at our institution. The repairs primarily involved difficult-to-reach dural defects in which primary suturing was difficult or impractical. A detailed surgical technique is described in 3 selected cases involving the anterior, middle, and posterior fossae, respectively. An additional 5 cases are provided in more limited detail to demonstrate clip artifact on postoperative imaging. Rates of postoperative CSF leak and other complications are reported.RESULTS: The microclip technique was performed successfully in 53 patients. The most common pathology in this cohort was skull base meningioma (32/53). Additional surgical indications included traumatic dural lacerations (9/53), nonmeningioma tumors (8/53), and other pathologies (4/53). The clip artifact present on postoperative imaging was minor and did not interfere with imaging interpretation. CSF leak occurred postoperatively in 3 (6%) patients. No obvious complications attributable to microclip usage were encountered.CONCLUSION: In our experience, intracranial dural closure with nonpenetrating, nonmagnetic titanium microclips is a feasible adjunct to traditional methods of dural repair.

Authors

Glenn, Chad A.;  Baker, Cordell M.;  Burks, Joshua D.;  Conner, Andrew K.;  Smitherman, Adam D.;  Sughrue, Michael E.

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