Citations

Abstract Introduction Surgery of the sellar and parasellar regions can be challenging due to the complexity of neurovascular relationships. The main goal of this study is to develop an educational resource to help trainees understand the pertinent anatomy and procedural steps of the endoscopic endonasal approaches (EEAs) to the sellar and parasellar regions. Methods Ten formalin-fixed latex-injected specimens were dissected. Endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal transsellar, transtuberculum-transplanum, and transcavernous approaches were performed by a neurosurgery trainee, under supervision from the senior authors and a PhD in anatomy with advanced neuroanatomy experience. Dissections were supplemented with representative case applications. Results Endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approaches afford excellent direct access to sellar and parasellar regions. After a wide sphenoidotomy, a limited sellar osteotomy opens the space to sellar region and medial portion of the cavernous sinus. To reach the suprasellar space (infrachiasmatic and suprachiasmatic corridors), a transplanum-prechiasmatic sulcus-transtuberculum adjunct is needed. The transcavernous approach gains access to the contents of the cavernous sinus and both medial (posterior clinoid and interpeduncular cistern) and lateral structures of the retrosellar region. Conclusion The anatomical understanding and technical skills required to confidently remove skull base lesions with EEAs are traditionally gained after years of specialized training. We comprehensively describe EEAs to sellar and parasellar regions for trainees to build knowledge and improve familiarity with these approaches and facilitate comprehension and learning in both the surgical anatomy laboratory and the operating room.

AbstractObjectivesTo demonstrate three‐hundred and sixty degrees of maxillary sinus (MS) surgical approaches using cadaveric dissections, highlighting the step‐by‐step anatomy of each procedure.MethodsTwo latex‐injected cadaveric specimens were utilized to perform surgical dissections to demonstrate different approaches to the MS. The procedures were documented with macroscopic images and endoscopic pictures.ResultsDissections were performed to approach the MS medially (endoscopic maxillary antrostomy and ethmoidectomy), anteriorly (Caldwell–Luc), superiorly (transconjunctival/transorbital approach), inferiorly (transpalatal approach), and posterolaterally (preauricular hemicoronal approach).ConclusionA number of approaches have been described to address pathology in the MS. Surgeons should be familiar with indications, limitations, and surgical anatomy from different perspectives to approach the MS. This paper illustrates anatomic approaches to the MS with detailed step‐by‐step cadaveric dissections and case examples.