Vascularized middle turbinate flap for the endoscopic endonasal reconstruction of the anterior olfactory groove

A vascularized middle turbinate flap (MTF) might be useful in the repair of lesions in the anterior olfactory groove. The sizes of the MTF and inferior turbinate flap (ITF) and these distances up to the frontal base were analyzed by computed tomography (CT) using a picture archiving and communication system (PACS) in 20 patients. The minimum flap measurement to reconstruct the skull base was defined as the distance from the basal plate to the medial slope or lateral slope edge of the MTF and the ITF on the coronal view. Next, we reviewed clinical data from three patients with dural deficits who underwent endoscopic vascularized MTF reconstruction. The distance to the frontal base from the ITF was significantly longer than that from the MTF. The minimum length of the MTF measured by coronal CT was similar to the distance to the frontal base. In contrast, the minimum length of the ITF was shorter than the distance to the frontal base. These results suggest that the MTF might be superior to the ITF for coverage of the anterior frontal base. Three patients who underwent MTF reconstruction for a defect in the anterior olfactory groove had good outcomes and no complications. The MTF is a good option for reconstruction of defects in the anterior part of the olfactory groove.