title: [Anatomical references in auditory brainstem implant surgery].
abstract: The auditory brainstem implant (ABI) is an option for deaf patients who do not have the whole of their auditory pathways preserved. The surgery, because of its anatomical and functional complexity, requires specific training of the surgeon in an anatomy lab.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study the surgical anatomy of the surgery for auditory brainstem implant.
  
  
  METHODS
  Anatomic study.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this exercise we dissected a fresh cadaver prepared with a dye solution injected into the arteries and intra-cranial veins. The location for the insertion of the electrode for the ABI has been studied through the translabyrinthine access.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The surgical technique used for implanting the electrode of the brainstem is similar to that used in the removal of the schwannoma vestibular. The cochlear nucleus complex, composed of the ventral and dorsal cochlear nuclei is the location for placing the electrode. The ventral cochlear nucleus is the principal nucleus for transmission of neural impulses from the VIII par and form the main ascendant route of the cochlear nerve. Neither the ventral nor the dorsal nuclei are visible during surgery and their location depends on the identification of adjacent anatomical structures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The region for the implantation of the electrode in the auditory brainstem implant presents anatomical references that allow its easy identification during surgery.
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo. rbritoneto@globo.com
authors.forename: Rubens Vuono
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Brito Neto
authors.forename: Ricardo Ferreira
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Bento
authors.forename: Alexandre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yasuda
authors.forename: Guilherme Carvalhal
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Ribas
authors.forename: Aldo Junqueira
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
mesh_terms: D038262:Auditory Brain Stem Implants; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery*; D002102:Cadaver; D019929:Cochlear Implantation; D017626:Cochlear Nucleus / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D006801:Humans; D000159:Vestibulocochlear Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology