Reconstruction of Frontal Defects with Calvarial Grafts

Background: There are many options for the reconstruction of frontal sinus wall defect resulting from injury, neoplastic lesions and aesthetic deformities. These mainly include autogenous grafts, allogenous grafts, and alloplastic materials. The aim of the present study is to report the advantages of using autogenous calvarial bone grafts over other reconstruction techniques, in the reconstruction of frontal defects.

Methods: We describe 16 consecutive cases of anterior frontal sinus defects between 2004 and 2015, in which calvarial bone grafts were used. Medical records were retrospectively analysed to evaluate graft survival.

Results: Bone defects were caused by injury (3), aesthetic deformities (2), external frontal sinus surgeries (2), tumours (6: three osteomas, two fibrous dysplasias, one squamous cell carcinoma), and osteomyelitis (3). There were no significant complications during harvesting, and morbidity was minimal. Furthermore, at one and five-year follow-up, no graft resorption or rejection was noted, and cosmetic results were satisfactory.

Conclusions: Our results indicate that calvarial bone graft is an appropriate material to use in anterior frontal sinus reconstruction.