Quality of life after endoscopic skull base surgery with a nasoseptal flap: a systematic review
Chuan Hao Gui, Alex C. Tham
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The past two decades have seen a widespread adoption of endoscopic skull base surgery with the use of nasoseptal flaps. Attention has been diverted in recent times to evaluate the quality of life of these patients. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the available literature to compare the quality of life after endoscopic skull base surgery with or without nasoseptal flaps. METHODS: This systemic review was conducted using PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases for literature published after 2009. RESULTS: The majority of studies concluded that there was no statistically significant difference in the quality of life associated with the use of nasoseptal flaps. Post-operatively, more extensive surgery, peri-operative radiotherapy, smoking and younger age were associated with poorer quality of life. CONCLUSION: While the use of nasoseptal flaps can have negative effects on patients' quality of life in terms of sinonasal symptoms, this systematic review found no difference in quality of life associated with the use or non-use of a nasoseptal flap.