The authors review their experience with endoscopic repair of skull ba
se defects associated with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea and/or
encephaloceles involving the paranasal sinuses. Between January 1991
and December 1995, 51 patients were evaluated for anterior and middle
cranial fossa defects at a tertiary care facility, Of these patients,
36 underwent endoscopic repair of skull base defects. Factors related
to surgical success were analyzed. These factors included etiology, de
fect location, number of prior attempts at repair, type of graft(s) us
ed, fluorescein use, complications, durations of lumbar drain placemen
t, and duration of CSF leakage prior to repair. During the first attem
pt, successful endoscopic repair was accomplished in 34 (94.4%) of the
36 patients. The mean duration of follow-up was 24.6 months, with a r
ange of 2 to 57 months. The authors conclude that an endoscopic approa
ch provides a safe and effective means for repairing many skull base d
efects.