Single-Arm, Open-Label, Multicenter Study to Evaluate the Safety and Performance of Dura Sealant Patch in Reducing Cerebrospinal Fluid Leakage Following Elective Cranial Surgery: The ENCASE Trial Study Protocol

BACKGROUND Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage is one of the most common neurosurgical complications, occurring in 4% to 32% of surgical cases, with a higher incidence in complicated skull base surgery, intradural spine surgery, and the surgery of the posterior fossa. Our group developed a Dural Sealant Patch (DSP) for watertight dural closure after cranial surgery. OBJECTIVE To clinically study for the first time the safety and performance of the DSP as a means of reducing CSF leakage in patients undergoing elective cranial intradural surgery with a dural closure procedure. METHODS We will conduct an open-label, single-arm, multicenter study with a 360 d (12 mo) follow-up. A total of 40 patients will be enrolled at 3 sites. The primary endpoint is a combination of occurrences of one of the following events: postoperative percutaneous CSF leakage, intraoperative leakage at 20 cm H2O, or postoperative wound infection. The secondary endpoints are pseudomeningocele and thickness of dura + DSP. EXPECTED OUTCOMES Not more than 3 patients will meet the primary endpoint suggesting safety and efficacy. DISCUSSION As a next step, a randomized controlled trial against the best current practice will follow to evaluate if DSP reduces CSF leakage while its safety is noninferior.