THE FAR LATERAL COMBINED SUPRATENTORIAL AND INFRATENTORIAL APPROACH -A HUMAN CADAVERIC PROSECTION MODEL FOR ROUTES OF ACCESS TO THE PETROCLIVAL REGION AND VENTRAL BRAIN-STEM/

A far lateral approach to the Ventral brain stem, lower clivus, and an terior foramen magnum is described. Methods for further exposure of th e superior petroclival region by incorporating a subtemporal craniotom y and posterior petrosectomy are also demonstrated. Eight sequentially illustrated steps depict this technique. The far lateral/combined sup ra- and infratentorial exposure is a comprehensive surgical approach t hat provides direct access to the entire anterior and lateral brain st em and craniovertebral junction. It minimizes brain-stem retraction an d maximizes visualization of the neurovascular structures.