Frontal sinus obliteration with the pericranial flap

BACKGROUND: Frontal sinus obliteration is often accomplished by autologous grafts such as fat, muscle, or bone. These avascular grafts carry an increa sed risk of resorption and infection as well as donor site morbidity. Vascu lar regional naps may be used to obliterate small sinuses with less morbidi ty. OBJECTIVES-To review our experience with the use of the pericranial flap fo r obliteration of the frontal sinus. METHODS: The records of 10 patients who underwent obliteration of the front al sinus with the pericranial flap were reviewed. Demographics, indications for frontal sinus obliteration, immediate and late complications, and long -term outcome were recorded. These results were compared with those in the current literature. RESULTS: Ten sinuses were obliterated with the pericranial nap. Indications included frontal sinus mucocele, mucopyocele, frontal sinus osteomyelitis, and frontal sinus fracture. The median follow-up was 3 years. There was 1 short-term complication of persistent headache for 1 month, and there was a symptomatic recurrence of a neofrontal sinus in 1 case, CONCLUSIONS: The pericranial flap is a vascularized local flap that is easi ly harvested. The use of the pericranial flap avoids donor site morbidity a ssociated with free fat or cancellous bone grafts. The pericranial flap arm s the head and neck surgeon with an effective alternative to other methods of frontal sinus obliteration.