Anterior Transpetrosal Approach for Basilar Trunk Aneurysms — Further Experience

Summary

The anterior part of the petrous bone, not included the auditory structures, was resected epidurally through a subtemporal craniotomy to access the basilar trunk aneurysms. In 6 surgical cases, all the aneurysms were clipped even projecting posteriorly, without serious complications. The extradural access minimized the venous complication and retraction damage. Confining the resection of the petrous bone could preserve the auditory function. Possible other surgical complications such as CSF leakage, facial hypesthesia or lacrimation decrease were not seen in the recent cases. Technical points to prevent those complications are presented.