NONPENETRATING CLIPS SUCCESSFULLY REPLACING SUTURES IN BASE OF SKULL SURGERY

Reconstructive challenges engendered by skull base surgery are critica l determinants of outcome. A novel nonpenetrating, arcuate-legged clip has proven to be both technically and biologically effective for mana gement of these difficult closures. Clips have facilitated reconstruct ions associated with the surgical management of eight skull base cases : leiomyosarcoma of the orbit. middle fossa, ptyergopalatine fossa, tw o meningiomas (petrotentorial, cavernous sinus), vagus nerve paragangl ioma, complex traumatic orbital dural tear, and one basilar and two ve rtebral artery aneurysms.