Endoscopic repair of CSF rhinorrhea: Necessity of fibrin glue :Satyawati Mohindra1, Sandeep Mohindra2, Karan Gupta1, , Neurololy India

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ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Year : 2013 | Volume : 61 | Issue : 4 | Page : 396--399

Endoscopic repair of CSF rhinorrhea: Necessity of fibrin glue

Satyawati Mohindra¹, Sandeep Mohindra², Karan Gupta¹,
¹ Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
² Department of Neurosurgery, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India

Correspondence Address:
Satyawati Mohindra
Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh - 160 012
India

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) repair with and without fibrin glue in pediatric patients with CSF rhinorrhea treated endoscopically. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study carried out in the Departments of Otolaryngology and Neurosurgery at a tertiary care center between December 2005 and July 2010. Results: The 27 patients with CSF rhinorrhea included in the study were divided into Group A: 13 patients who underwent endoscopic endonasal CSF repair using fibrin glue (Tisseel, Baxter, Vienna, Austria) by an endoscopic rhinologist and Group B: 14 patients who underwent endonasal CSF repair without fibrin glue. There was no statistically significant difference in endoscopic CSF repairs with or without fibrin glue (P = 0.48) in all the variables studied. CSF repair without fibrin glue appeared more cost saving as compared to repair with glue. Conclusion: CSF repairs with and without fibrin glue are equally effective and CSF repair without fibrin is costs saving.

How to cite this article:
Mohindra S, Mohindra S, Gupta K. Endoscopic repair of CSF rhinorrhea: Necessity of fibrin glue.Neurol India 2013;61:396-399

How to cite this URL:
Mohindra S, Mohindra S, Gupta K. Endoscopic repair of CSF rhinorrhea: Necessity of fibrin glue. Neurol India [serial online] 2013 [cited 2023 Dec 2 ];61:396-399
Available from: https://www.neurologyindia.com/text.asp?2013/61/4/396/117619

Full Text

Introduction

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea has been a major treatment challenge for otolaryngologists and skull-base surgeons. [1] Skull-base fractures and iatrogenic injuries are the main causes of CSF rhinorrhea. [1] Repair is must to avoid meningitis and pneumocephalus. [1] Endoscopic repair is well recognized, since the first use of endoscope in 1981. [2] Septal mucoperiosteum, free graft from temporalis fascia, fascia lata, free muscle, tragal perichondrium, abdominal fat or even an omental free flap or synthetic dural substitute have been used for repair. [1],[3],[4] Fibrin glue has been used to secure the graft into position in earlier studies. [5],[6],[7] The histopathological studies suggest that ﬁbrin glue may trigger an inﬂammatory response that may promote healing. [8] However, the efﬁcacy of ﬁbrin glue in preventing CSF leaks remains controversial. [8],[9] Encouraging results of endoscopic CSF repair without fibrin glue from our department encouraged us to compare the efficacy of repair with and without fibrin glue in pediatric patients. [10]

Materials and Methods

This was a retrospective study carried out in the Departments of Otolaryngology and Neurosurgery, Post-graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, between December 2005 and July 2010. Twenty seven consecutive pediatric patients of CSF rhinorrhea were randomly divided into Group A: 13 patients who underwent endoscopic endonasal CSF repair using fibrin glue and Group B: 14 patients who had the procedure without fibrin glue.

Computerized tomography (CT) cisternography to localize the site of the leak was performed pre-operatively. For endoscopic repair, one needs the bony anatomy and the site of defect precisely. Hence we preferred CT cysternography over magnetic resonance (MR) cysternography.

All patients were operated by the same experienced surgeons [Figure 1]. Lumbar drain for a period of 3-5 days was put and oral acetazolamide post-operatively for a period of 8 weeks was given in five patients with raised CSF pressure (>180 mm of water). Under hypotensive anesthesia, utilizing 2.7 and 4 mm 0° and 30° rigid nasal endoscopes, the site of the leak was conﬁrmed intra-operatively using induced valsalva maneuver. The margins of the defect were deﬁned and the repair was carried out in four layers. Mashed muscle, fat and the fascia lata was harvested from the thigh giving a separate incision. The ﬁrst layer was mashed muscle plugging the defect the fat was also used as the first layer. The second layer was fascia lata, which was tucked in all around the defect. The third layer was vital layer, in which the middle turbinate ﬂap or septal mucosal flap was rotated. Fibrin glue was utilized in 13 patients. After graft positioning, fourth layer of surgicel and gelfoam were interposed between the graft and the nasal packing. The pack was removed on the 5 th post-operative day in all cases. Both groups were matched regarding the size of defect, the site of leak and the repair technique. Avoidance of coughing or straining was encouraged with bed rest and 30° head end elevation in all patients. All patients received intravenous third-generation cephalosporins for 5 days. The follow-up for successful patients ranged from 2 years 10 months to 6 years 3 months. The mean follow-up was 54.25 months.{Figure 1}

Statistical analysis

Data was systematically analyzed by a qualified statistician. Chi-square test was applied to analyze the significance of failure/success of the group using fibrin glue for endoscopic repair. This was carried out by referring to a Chi-square distribution table. Using the appropriate degrees of freedom the value closest to the calculated Chi-square was located. The closest P value was determined with the calculated Chi-square and degree of freedom. P > 0.05 is within the range of acceptable deviation hence not significant.

Results

Three patients had a history of prior attempted endoscopic endonasal repair. Two patients did not give any history of trauma or surgery. One of the patients had a history of meningitis. CT cisternography revealed leak from cribriform plate in most of the patients [Table 1]. MR cisternography was performed in two patients at other facilities. Three patients had coexistent meningocele or encephalocele [Figure 2]. All spontaneous CSF leaks were from the cribriform plate. Trauma was responsible for leak from everywhere except the sphenoid sinus.{Figure 2}{Table 1}

Of the 13 patients in Group A, there were 10 males and three females and the age range was 2-11 years with a mean age of 6.4 years. CSF leak was from the right side in nine patients and from the left side in four. Duration of the leak was 5-21 months. Trauma was the most common cause in 11/13 patients. Raised CSF pressure (>180 mm of water) was recorded in two patients. Cribriform plate was the most common site of leak. The size of defect ranged from 2 mm × 1 mm to 21 mm × 11 mm.

Of the 14 patients in Group B, there were 12 males and two females and the age range was 4-15 years with a mean age of 9.07 years. Right side leak was present in nine patients and left side in five. The duration of the leak was 6-20 months. Raised CSF pressure was recorded in one patient. Cribriform plate was the most common site of leak. Defect size ranged from 2 mm × 1.5 mm to 20 mm × 11 mm.

Transient anosmia was seen in two patients, which recovered within a month. Three cases had synechiae formation requiring release. Follow-up showed no recurrence in 25 (92.5%) patients. One of patients with high CSF pressure had recurrence 15 days after surgery and one patient with meningocele had recurrence after 2 months. Both patients belonged to Group A. One patient required revision surgery following, which he had no recurrence after 12-14 months of follow-up.

The closure rate in this series was 92% in first attempt and 100% in the next attempt with fibrin glue and a success rate of 100% in first attempt without fibrin glue. There was excellent correlation between the radiologic ﬁndings and the surgical findings (r = 1). There was no statistically significant difference in endoscopic CSF repairs with or without fibrin glue (P = 0.48).

Discussion

CSF leak originating from the anterior fossa and sphenoid bone carries significant morbidity when inadequately treated and the serious complications include meningitis, subdural empyema and brain abscess. In spontaneous CSF leak and meningo-or encephalocele, the failure rate can vary between 25% and 87%. [11] Autologous materials such as abdominal fat, nasal septum mucosa, bone, fascia lata and muscle can be used for repair [12],[13],[14]. The graft can be attached with fibrin glue, hemostatic sponges or vaseline gauzes. Adequate resection of the mucosa around the bone defect is a must for secure graft attachment. [13],[14] The graft can be positioned in an inlay form or in an onlay form. In our series, we performed the inlay technique in all patients.

Fibrin glue simulates the ﬁnal phase of the coagulation cascade, thrombin and ﬁbrinogen. The histopathological studies suggest that ﬁbrin glue may trigger an inﬂammatory response that may promote healing. However, the efﬁcacy of ﬁbrin glue in preventing CSF leaks remains controversial. In a systematic review, only 52% of all CSF repairs used ﬁbrin glue [15] and comparable results were found. Several experimental studies have examined the role of ﬁbrin glue in CSF leak repair with variable results. [8],[9],[15]

In our series closure rate was 92% in first attempt and 100% in the next attempt with fibrin glue and a success rate of 100% in first attempt without fibrin glue. Various studies reported a success rate of 97% with fibrin glue and 92-100% without glue. [16],[17],[18],[19] Rodney et al. insisted if tissue adhesives are used, they must be applied conservatively because a thick layer of adhesive may prevent the graft material from coming in contact with the wound bed. [20] Jankowitz et al. reported that there was no statistical difference in persistent CSF leak between those cases, in which fibrin glue was used at the time of surgery and in those in whom fibrin glue was not used. [21] Our results were comparable with the earlier reports with better results without fibrin glue. From our experience of failures, it has emerged that meticulous technique with accurate preparation of margins and graft coverage of at least 5 mm from the margins was the most important factor. This is the first study, which compared endoscopic CSF repairs with and without the use of fibrin glue in children.

There was excellent correlation between the radiologic ﬁndings and the surgical ﬁndings (r = 1). We found that there was no statistically significant difference in endoscopic CSF repairs with or without fibrin glue (P = 0.48). CSF repair without fibrin glue appears more cost saving. Admittedly this series is small; thus it is difficult to reach a definitive conclusion, nonthetheless experience presented herein may serve as the basis of observation and further studies.

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