From postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak to meningitis: unveiling the risk factors for meningitis after endoscopic skull base surgery

The transition from postoperative CSF leak to meningitis is influenced by the severity of intraoperative leakage, reconstructive choices, and the timing of leak detection. Restricting fat grafts and lumbar drains to selected cases and ensuring close postoperative rhinologic surveillance are critical in mitigating infectious complications following ESBS.