Objective To investigate the influencing factors for the healing of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak due to traumatic skull base fracture, and to explore better therapeutic strategies for traumatic skull base fracture.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of patients with CSF leak due to traumatic skull base fracture who were admitted to our hospital from February 2000 to April 2009, including basic information, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score on admission, type of CSF leak (rhinorrhea or otorrhea), treatment modality (conservative treatment, lumbar drainage, and surgery), presence or absence of intracranial infection, and outcome of CSF leak. SSPS software was used to analyze the influencing factors for the healing of CSF leak.Results There were 55 male and 28 female patients with CSF leak, aged 16-73 years (mean 43.8±17.3 years). Of all patients, 11 underwent emergency surgery due to intracranial injury (intracranial hematoma and nerve injury), extensive skull base fracture, and severe CSF leak; 39 underwent conservative treatment of CSF leak and were cured; 2 were cured by craniotomy after conservative observation and lumbar drainage. All patients achieved a satisfactory outcome; no patient died, and only 1 patient had intracranial infection. Patient age, GCS score on admission, and type of CSF leak were influencing factors for the healing of CSF leak.Conclusions Most patients with traumatic CSF leak can be cured by conservative treatment or lumbar drainage. Surgery should be performed for patients with injuries which need surgery, extensive skull base fracture, and severe CSF leak.