Preventive management of cerebrospinal fluid leakage in translabyrinthine surgery.

A simple technique can be used to prevent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage through the nose and the wound in translabyrinthine surgery. This method, evolved from Glasscock's technique of packing the eustachian tube, adds only 5 to 10 minutes to the procedure. The procedure was modeled in the temporal bones of 20 human cadavers, and the findings are described. With this technique, no nasal CSF leaks occurred in a consecutive series of 25 patients who underwent acoustic tumor surgery. Factors thought to be necessary for the success of the technique are discussed.