Subtemporal Keyhole Approach to the Suprasellar and Petroclival Region: Microanatomic Considerations and Clinical Application

OBJECTIVE: To minimize surgical invasiveness, the keyhole concept is applied to the subtemporal approach. METHODS: Anatomic features were studied in 14 sides of adult cadaver heads, and the technique was used in 162 interventions. Although most of the lesions treated were 3 cm in size or smaller, larger lesions were also treated using this technique. In some cases, if needed, an endoscope-assisted microsurgical technique was used. RESULTS: The cadaveric study provided intimate experience with the microsurgical anatomy of the approach. The 162 consecutive patients who were operated on harbored various types of lesions; the most recent 43 consecutive interventions were investigated in detail.…