Comparison Of Operative Approaches to Petroclival Tumors

Objective To improve the surgical outcome of petroclival tumors. Methods The clinical data of 53 patients with petroclival tumors resected through 5 operative approaches were analysed retrospectively. Results The transpetrosal presigmoid approach (TPA) was used for surgery in 40 cases, suboccipital-postsigmoid approach in 4, extended middle fossa epidual approach in 3, subtemporal lateral approach in 3, and suboccipital-subtemporal approach in 3. Total resection of the tumors was achieved in 29 cases, subtotal resection in 18 and part resection in 6. One patients was severely disabled and 1 patient died. Conclusions①The operative approach to the petroclival tumors should be selected according to the tumor region, relationship between the tumor and clivus, and so on.TPA is a better approach to the petroclival tumors at present. ②Adequately preoperative preparation, good anatomical knowledge and adept operative technique are the important foundation of decreasing the operative complication.