This 1981 paper by Douglas K. Ousterhout and Paul Tessier, published in the Journal of Maxillofacial Surgery, describes the use of a forehead flap to close large defects of the cribriform plate, the thin bone at the base of the skull above the nasal cavity. While small defects in this area are usually of little consequence, larger ones can leave the brain’s protective lining exposed and lead to cerebrospinal fluid leaks.
The authors present a detailed case history and review six patients treated with the technique, followed for four to seven years. Two of the defects resulted from infection and four from trauma. The paper also reviews alternative approaches to closing these defects. Dr. Deschamps-Braly continues Dr. Ousterhout’s San Francisco practice today.
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