WIDE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE ANTERIOR CRANIAL BASE WITH BIPEDICLED GALEOPERICRANIAL FLAP

Background. Reconstruction of facial bone fractures complicated by fro ntal sinus destruction must seal off the cranial cavity from the upper respiratory tract to avoid ascending infections of the intracranial c ontents. Methods. We used a bipedicled galeopericranial flap for recon struction of the extradural and subcutaneous spaces of the frontal reg ion, which were infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aur eus (MRSA) following unsuccessful coverage of the anterior cranial bas e with an anteriorly based pericranial flap. Results. The patient heal ed uneventfully without infection. Conclusion. Because a bipedicled ga leopericranial flap has abundant blood supply, it can be used to cover a wide segment of the anterior cranial base. This is the first report of the application of a bipedicled galeopericranial flap for wide rec onstruction of the anterior cranial base.