The Effect of an ASC-seeded Collagen Hydrogel on Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak Rates Following Skull Base Surgery

This project seeks to test whether a cell-seeded collagen hydrogel dressing can reduce CSF leak after skull base surgery. Normally, patients at risk for CSF leak are treated with a commercial collagen matrix called Duragen. In this study, our sterile, cGMP manufactured collagen hydrogel dressing will be seeded with the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) mechanically isolated from lipoaspirate taken intra-operatively. This SVF contains pro-regenerative adipose stem cells (ASCs). The ASC-seeded hydrogel will be used as a supplement to Duragen to reinforce the skull base closure. The goal is to establish safety as well as to secondarily evaluate for effectiveness in reducing CSF leak postoperatively.