Skull Base Laboratory

The skull base laboratory provides comprehensive training to residents on skull base approaches. The laboratory facility is equipped with two Zeiss operating microscopes, which are equipped with camera and video monitor. The facility is also equipped with stereotatic head holders, microsurgical instruments and Anspach surgical drills.

The laboratory is open to residents 24 hours seven days a week.

Neurosurgery resident skull base course

The course is conducted at 9-10 a.m. Wednesdays.

Anterior and anterolateral approaches

• Anterior approaches - Lecture
• Skull base lab
  • Transsphenoidal/transethmoidal approach
  • One-piece cranioorbital craniotomy
  • Bifrontal craniotomy with bandeau osteotomies
  • Extended basal subfrontal approach to the clivus
• Anterolateral approaches - Lecture
• Skull base lab
  • Cranio-orbitozygomatic osteotomies
  • Subtemporal craniectomy
  • Anterior clinoidectomy
  • Posterior orbitotomy
  • Mobilization of the optic nerve
  • Anterior clinoidectomy
  • Posterior orbitotomy
  • Mobilization of the optic nerve
  • Independent review, anterior and anterolateral approaches
  • Anatomy of the skull

Middle fossa approaches

• Middle fossa approaches - Lecture
• Skull base lab
  • Anterior petrosectomy
  • Middle fossa approach to Meckel's Cave
  • Combined supra-/infra-tentorial craniotomy
  • Tentorial incisions

Posterior skull base approaches

• Posterior skull base approaches - Lecture
• Skull base lab
  • Pre-sigmoid approach
  • Retro-sigmoid approaches
  • Trans-, sub-, para-condylar approaches synthesis
• Complications/reconstruction techniques
• Case presentations