[Partial transcondylar approach - analysis of the surgical technique in cadaver simulation]

Neurol Neurochir Pol. 2012 May-Jun;46(3):245-56. doi: 10.5114/ninp.2012.29133.
[Article in Polish]

Abstract

The aim of the study was to present consecutive stages of the partial transcondylar approach. Six simulations of the partial transcondylar approach were performed on non-fixed human cadavers without any known pathologies in the head and neck. The consecutive stages of the procedure were documented with photographs and diagrams. The starting point for the partial transcondylar approach is a posterior repositioning of the suboccipital segment of the vertebral artery. The approach is achieved by partial removal of the occipital condyle and lateral mass of the atlas as well as by suboccipital craniectomy. Elevation of the cerebellar hemisphere presents an important supplement of the approach. The partial transcondylar approach is a reproducible technique, which provides surgical penetration of the anterior part of the cranio-cervical junction and related regions. This approach is particularly useful in the treatment of intradural tumours localized ventrally to the medulla.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cadaver
  • Cervical Atlas / anatomy & histology
  • Cervical Atlas / surgery*
  • Cranial Sutures
  • Craniotomy / methods*
  • Dissection / methods
  • Humans
  • Neurosurgical Procedures / methods
  • Patient Simulation
  • Poland
  • Skull Base / anatomy & histology
  • Skull Base / surgery*
  • Teaching Materials