Cardboard dural retractor for drilling of the sphenoid wing in the pterional approach.
BACKGROUND
In the pterional approach, adequate removal of the sphenoid wing is essential. For safe drilling of the medial part, the dura beside the wing is usually retracted with a metal instrument and damage to the instrument may occur. We developed an alternative retraction method that uses a cardboard shield.


METHODS
Before drilling the medial part of the sphenoid wing, a cardboard shield featuring a notch and a bend in its center is prepared. The notch is inserted between the wing to be drilled and the dura.


RESULTS
The shield retracted the dura beside the wing effectively and provided sufficient space for the diamond drill bit. It held up to the drilling and protected the dura.


CONCLUSIONS
This simple method provides a safe adequate operative field without involving additional instruments or expenditures.
Shimizu
Satoru
S
Department of Neurosurgery, Yokohama Stroke and Brain Center, Yokohama, Kanagawa 235-0012, Japan. Satoru4756@aol.com
Hagiwara
Hiroyuki
H
Nakayama
Kenji
K
Yamamoto
Isao
I
Fujii
Kiyotaka
K
D003399:Craniotomy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004388:Dura Mater / Q000601:surgery*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D013100:Sphenoid Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D013525:Surgical Instruments