[Anatomical references in auditory brainstem implant surgery].
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.
Brito Neto
Rubens Vuono
RV
Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo. rbritoneto@globo.com
Bento
Ricardo Ferreira
RF
Yasuda
Alexandre
A
Ribas
Guilherme Carvalhal
GC
Rodrigues
Aldo Junqueira
AJ
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