Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The selection of appropriate materials and techniques for reconstructing skull base defects is crucial for restoring function, minimizing complications, and enhancing aesthetics. Dermal fat grafts (DFGs) have been established in many surgeries for contour correction. However, there is little literature describing the application of free dermal fat grafts for reconstruction of lateral skull base surgery defects. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical effect of using free dermal fat grafts in the reconstruction of lateral skull base defects. METHODS: In this study, 32 patients who underwent primary autologous free dermal fat graft reconstruction for lateral skull base defects were enrolled. Postoperative complications both in the donor and recipient area were evaluated. Three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction techniques were applied to visualize the fat graft shape and volume variations for the assessment of postoperative restoring function. A telephone questionnaire was used for the assessment of postoperative facial aesthetics and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: A total of 32 patients who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study, showing satisfying results in safety and aesthetics. Participants' ages averaged at 42.03 years, with the youngest being 18 and the oldest at 75 years old. No patient had postoperative complications of abdominal wounds in the donor area, only two patients had postoperative infections and one patient had a postoperative effusion in the recipient area. The volume of the grafts ranged from a minimum of 24.4 cm³ to a maximum of 131 cm³, with the highest recorded resorption volume being 33.63 cm³. The average resorption rate of the dermal fat graft was 24.36%, ranging from a minimum of 11% to a maximum of 43%. 3D reconstruction based on MRI imaging data indicated that DFGs have a lower resorption rate than traditional free fat grafts. The telephone questionnaire revealed high patient satisfaction with facial aesthetics, with the majority rating their outcomes positively. CONCLUSIONS: Dermal fat grafts have fewer complication and can provide better resistance to infection and radiation aspect. Based on 3D reconstruction techniques via MRI imaging data, we found that dermal fat grafts have lower resorption rate than traditional free fat grafts, which can be a suitable material for reconstruction of lateral skull base defects.