Study of anatomy related to subtemporal keyhole approach to basilar artery bifurcation by neuroendoscope

Objective To provide anatomical basis for neuroendoscope-assisted surgery through the subtemporal keyhole approach to the region of basilar artery bifurcation.Methods The neuroendoscope-assisted surgery through subtemporal keyhole approach to the basilar artery bifurcation regious was simulated on 9 chinese adult cadaveric heads fixed by formalin.The anatomic structure related to the subtemporal approach to the basilar artery furcation region was observed and measured by neuroendoscopic technique.Results The anatomical structures in the basilar artery bifurcation region and the region posterior to basilar artry bifurcation were clearly observed under the neuroendoscope.The distances from the inner table of skull at the middle-posterior one third point of the zygomatic arch to the posterior clinoid process at the same side,middle line of sella dorsalis,margo liber of tentorium cerebelli at the same side and laterial sulcus of the midbrain were(57.7±2.7)mm,(69.2±1.1)mm,(39.3±3.2)mm and(48.2±2.5)mm respectively.Conclusions The subtemporal keyhole approach which is a good approach to the region of basilar artery bifurcation under the neuroendoscope produces only realatively little operation-sidde damage to the cerebral tissues.