title: The suboccipital approach to removal of acoustic neuromas.
abstract: This article reviews the author's technique for removing acoustic neuromas by the suboccipital approach. Also discussed are various considerations regarding the selection and use of instruments for this operation. The anatomy of the internal acoustic meatus and the principles involved in facial- and cochlear-nerve preservation are described. A guide is provided for stepwise dissection of the internal acoustic meatus in the laboratory.
mesh_terms: D003390:Cranial Nerve Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D007758:Ear, Inner / Q000098:blood supply; D004564:Electrocoagulation; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D008722:Methods; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D009464:Neuroma, Acoustic / Q000601:surgery*; D009777:Occipital Bone / Q000601:surgery; D011187:Posture; D013396:Suction; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D000159:Vestibulocochlear Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology