Abstract
To evaluate the benefits of middle turbinectomy on the exposure of the skull base structures. An anatomical study on 20 fresh cadaver heads. The extent of the exposure of the skull base structures during endoscopic endonasal approach has not been addressed specifically in respect to the whether or not the middle turbinectomy is performed. We compared the extent of exposure obtained by endonasal transsphenoidal approaches without middle turbinectomy (NMT), with unilateral turbinectomy (UMT), and with bilateral turbinectomy (BMT). Our preselected target points in the skull base consisted of sella turcica, tuberculum sella, planum sphenoidale, clivus (upper and middle third), and ipsilateral sphenopalatine artery (SPA). Of our preselected anatomic target points, only the middle third of the clivus and ipsilateral SPA had enhanced exposure in UMT (100% for both structures) compared to NMT (45% and 20%, respectively). The addition of a BMT did not provide added exposure to any target compared with a UMT. Middle turbinectomy may not be necessary for endonasal transsphenoidal approach to the lesions of the sella, planum sphenoidale, and upper third of the clivus. However, gaining access to the middle clival region is facilitated by resection of middle turbinate.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.