In Reference to “Extended Inferior Turbinate Flap for Endoscopic Reconstruction of Skull Base Defects”

We read with great interest the article “Extended Inferior Turbinate Flap for Endoscopic Reconstruction of Skull Base Defects” by Choby et al.[1] We congratulate the authors for a thorough anatomic and clinical study. We must take exception, however, in their claim that this idea is “novel” (defined as something new or unusual). This implies that the authors have designed a new technique and the work will be cited as such in future publications about a related subject. Extensions of the posterior pedicle inferior turbinate flap, including those described by the authors, were previously reported in 2011 by Rivera-Serrano et al.[2] The authors elected not to cite this previous study. Taking into consideration that part of the work for the article by Rivera-Serrano et al was completed in the same anatomical laboratory as their study, it is a puzzling omission.

• References

• 1 Choby GW, Pinheiro-Neto CD, de Almeida JR , et al. Extended inferior turbinate flap for endoscopic reconstruction of skull base defects. J Neurol Surg B Skull Base 2014; 75 (4) 225-230
• 2 Rivera-Serrano CM, Bassagaisteguy LH, Hadad G , et al. Posterior pedicle lateral nasal wall flap: new reconstructive technique for large defects of the skull base. Am J Rhinol Allergy 2011; 25 (6) e212-e216