Video-assisted microsurgical transoral approach to the craniovertebral junction: personal experience in childhood

2011 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 825-831 ◽  
Author(s):  
Massimiliano Visocchi ◽  
Giuseppe Maria Della Pepa ◽  
Francesco Doglietto ◽  
Giuseppe Esposito ◽  
Giuseppe La Rocca ◽  
...  
Neurosurgery ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 66 (suppl_3) ◽  
pp. A96-A103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harminder Singh ◽  
James Harrop ◽  
Paul Schiffmacher ◽  
Marc Rosen ◽  
James Evans

Abstract BACKGROUND Chordomas are primarily malignant tumors encountered at either end of the neural axis; the craniovertebral junction and the sacrococcygeal junction. In this article, we discuss the surgical management of craniovertebral junction chordomas. OBJECTIVE In this paper, we discuss the surgical management of craniovertebral junction chordomas. RESULTS The following approaches are illustrated: transoral-transpalatopharyngeal approach, high anterior cervical retropharyngeal approach, endoscopic transoral approach, and endoscopic transnasal approach. No single operative approach can be used for all craniovertebral chordomas. Therefore, the location of the tumor dictates which approach or approaches should be used.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Árpád Viola ◽  
István Kozma ◽  
Dávid Süvegh

Abstract BackgroundOur objective was to develop a new, minimally invasive surgical technique for the resolution of craniovertebral junction pathologies, which can eliminate the complications of the previous methods, like liquor-leakage, velopharyngeal insufficiency and wound-dehiscence associated with the transoral or lateral approaches.MethodsDuring the first stage of the operation, three patients underwent occipito-cervical dorsal fusion, while the fourth patient received C1-C2 fusion according to Harms. C1-C2 decompressive laminectomy was performed in all four cases. Ventral C1-C2 decompression with microscope assisted minimally invasive anterior submandibular retropharyngeal key-hole approach (MIS ASR) method was performed in the second stage. The MIS ASR similarly to the traditional anterior retropharyngeal surgery – preserves the hard and soft palates, yet can be performed through a 25 mm wide incision with the use of only one retractor.ResultsThe MIS ASR approach was a success in all four cases, there were no intra- and postoperative complications. This method, compared to the transoral approach, provided on average 23% (4.56 cm2 / 6.05 cm2) smaller dural decompression area; nonetheless, the entire pathology could be removed in all cases. After the surgery, all patients have shown significant neurological improvement.ConclusionBased on the outcome of these four cases we think that the MIS ASR approach is a safe alternative to the traditional methods while improving patient safety by reducing the risks of complications.


Author(s):  
Francesco Signorelli ◽  
Alessandro Costantini ◽  
Vittorio Stumpo ◽  
Giulio Conforti ◽  
Alessandro Olivi ◽  
...  

2009 ◽  
Vol 64 (suppl_5) ◽  
pp. ons437-ons444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Promod Pillai ◽  
Mirza N. Baig ◽  
Chris S. Karas ◽  
Mario Ammirati

Abstract OBJECTIVE The transoral approach is the most direct and commonly used method to access the ventral craniocervical junction. Recently, an endonasal, endoscopic approach to the craniovertebral junction was proposed. We reasoned that the coupling of the endoscope with the direct transoral approach and image guidance could result in a minimally invasive, simple approach to the ventral craniovertebral junction. We investigated the potential usefulness of such an approach in a cadaver model. METHODS A direct transoral approach to the craniovertebral junction was performed using computed tomography-based image guidance in 9 fresh adult head specimens. Endoscopic odontoidectomy was performed in 5 specimens. In the remaining 4 specimens, the surgical working area and surgical freedom associated with an endoscopic and a microscopic approach to the ventral craniovertebral junction were evaluated and compared. In these 4 specimens, we also measured and compared the exposure of the clivus provided by the endoscope and by the operating microscope without splitting the soft palate. RESULTS With variously angled endoscopic assistance and image guidance, it was possible to tailor the excision of the anterior arch of the atlas and to precisely identify the odontoid process and its related ligaments intraoperatively, resulting in a complete and controlled odontoidectomy. The surgical area exposed over the posterior pharyngeal wall was significantly improved using the endoscope (606.5 ± 127.4 mm3) compared with the operating microscope (425.7 ± 100.8 mm3), without any compromise of surgical freedom (P < 0.05). The extent of the clivus exposed with the endoscope (9.5 ± 0.7 mm) without splitting the soft palate was significantly improved compared with that associated with microscopic approach (2.0 ± 0.4 mm) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION With the aid of the endoscope and image guidance, it is possible to approach the ventral craniovertebral junction transorally with minimal tissue dissection, no palatal splitting, and no compromise of surgical freedom. In addition, the use of an angled-lens endoscope can significantly improve the exposure of the clivus without splitting the soft palate. An endoscope-assisted transoral approach is a direct and powerful tool for the treatment of surgical pathology at the craniovertebral junction.


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