Trans-supraorbital approach to supratentorial aneurysms.
OBJECTIVE
The trans-supraorbital approach has the advantage of combining the keyhole principle with cranial base surgery. The anatomic fields that can be visualized with the use of this procedure have been demonstrated in cadavers, and the advantages and potential surgical applications of this procedure are described in this report. This article is the first to describe a group of intracranial supratentorial aneurysms.


METHODS
We used the trans-supraorbital approach in 22 cases of supratentorial aneurysms. In this technique, an incision is made through the eyebrow, then a 3.5-cm craniotomy is performed with en bloc extension to the orbital arch, complemented by different drilling extensions of the orbital roof according to the surgical objective. We describe the anatomic details of the experimental work as well as the clinical results.


RESULTS
The trans-supraorbital technique offers an unlimited wide exposure of neurovascular structures in this microsurgical corridor. The craniotomy extension allows greater exposure than the conventional keyhole supraorbital approach, which makes the technique safe for the patient and comfortable for the surgeon. All patient outcomes were successful; no serious complications from the surgical technique occurred. Our success was achieved through better microscopic illumination in the deep field and by gaining access to the complete supratentorial vascular territory with minimal cerebral retraction and an acceptable cosmetic result.


CONCLUSIONS
The trans-supraorbital approach is effective for gaining access to and treating supratentorial aneurysms. Also, the microsurgical field is more convenient in microscope-assisted surgery because total reliance on the endoscope is not required, and minimal brain retraction is needed. This modification of the keyhole procedure also provides multiple surgical options in this microsurgical corridor, using the principles of minimal invasiveness in cranial base surgery.
Ramos-Zúñiga
Rodrigo
R
Department of Neurosciences, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, University of Guadalajara, Jalisco, México. rodrigor@cencar.udg.mx
Velázquez
Héctor
H
Barajas
Marco A
MA
López
Ramiro
R
Sánchez
Enrique
E
Trejo
Sandra
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D003399:Craniotomy / Q000379:methods*; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D009915:Orbit / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed