The Supraorbital Approach: An Alternative to Traditional Exposure for the Surgical Management of Anterior Fossa and Parasellar Pathology

Abstract

The use of a supraorbital craniotomy as a minimally invasive neurosurgical technique to treat pathology located in the anterior cranial fossa and parasellar region is reported. 25 patients were operated upon using the supraorbital keyhole technique to expose various lesions located in the anterior skull base. Included were benign and malignant tumors, AVM, tuberculoma and trauma. Utilizing small eyebrow incisions, a small supraorbital ("keyhole") craniotomy, and microneurosurgical and/or endoscopically assisted access, allowed us to gain excellent optimal and safe exposure to a number of different pathologies of the anterior base and parasellar regions. The lesions were resected under complete control and with full preservation of surrounding neurovascular structures.