EXTRACRANIAL REPAIR OF CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID RHINORRHEA

Background: Extracranial techniques, which have none of the inherent m orbidity associated with intracranial techniques, can successfully rep air rhinological cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistulas. Methods: A series of five consecutive adult patients with persistent rhinological CSF f istulas were reviewed retrospectively. Results: The success rate for i nitial closure was 60%. On the second operation both failures were suc cessfully repaired. Conclusions: The external approach is a safe, succ essful, alternative approach for the surgical repair of rhinological C SF fistulas.