Cortical osteotomy technique for mobilizing the temporal muscle in pterional craniotomies

Abstract

Although many procedures have already been performed to mobilize and reconstruct the temporal muscle for pterional craniotomies, the authors described a novel cortical osteotomy technique for creating and mobilizing a cortical bone slat along the superior temporal line with the temporal muscle attached to it. Screw fixation of the cortical bone slat then provides secured temporal muscle reconstruction. As such, this new technique minimized damage to the temporal muscle and prevented the formation of an anterior temporal hollow. In addition, key hole and parietal burr hole defects were covered by the cortical bone slat.