Key-hole Surgical Approaches - Supra-orbital
Endonasal Transphenoidal Approach | Supra-orbital Eyebrow Craniotomy | Retro-sigmoid Key-hole Craniotomy | Other Key-hole Craniotomies
KEY-HOLE SURGICAL APPROACHES:
Supra-Orbital “Eyebrow” Craniotomy:
removal of meningiomas, craniopharyngiomas, and other brain tumors.
Through an incision within the eyebrow, a small (1.5 - 2 cm x 2.5 - 3 cm) craniotomy is placed above the orbit to access tumors under or within the frontal lobes and around the pituitary gland. This “eyebrow” craniotomy requires minimal brain retraction and muscle dissection promoting a rapid recovery with less pain; the cosmetic result is generally excellent. This approach is now preferred over the traditional large fronto-temporal or bi-frontal craniotomies that are still frequently performed. It is used instead of the endonasal approach when a tumor is very large or extending too far away from the midline or when tumor is engulfing the optic nerves or large intracranial arteries making the endonasal approach potentially less effective and safe.
Case Examples
- Meningioma
- Craniopharyngioma
