{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,30]],"date-time":"2026-09-30T12:34:53Z","timestamp":1790771693551,"version":"4.1.0"},"reference-count":32,"publisher":"Georg Thieme Verlag KG","issue":"03","content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["J Neurol Surg B Skull Base"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2021,6]]},"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title><jats:p>\n          Introduction\u2003Neurosurgical anatomy is traditionally taught via anatomic and operative atlases; however, these resources present the skull base using views that emphasize three-dimensional (3D) relationships rather than operative perspectives, and are frequently written above a typical resident's understanding. Our objective is to describe, step-by-step, a retrosigmoid approach dissection, in a way that is educationally valuable for trainees at numerous levels.<\/jats:p><jats:p>\n          Methods\u2003Six sides of three formalin-fixed latex-injected specimens were dissected under microscopic magnification. A retrosigmoid was performed by each of three neurosurgery residents, under supervision by the senior authors (C.L.W.D. and M.J.L.) and a graduated skull base fellow, neurosurgeon, and neuroanatomist (M.P.C.). Dissections were supplemented with representative case applications.<\/jats:p><jats:p>\n          Results\u2003The retrosigmoid craniotomy (aka lateral suboccipital approach) affords excellent access to cranial nerve (CN) IV to XII, with corresponding applicability to numerous posterior fossa operations. Key steps include positioning and skin incision, scalp and muscle flaps, burr hole and parasigmoid trough, craniotomy flap elevation, initial durotomy and deep cistern access, completion durotomy, and final exposure.<\/jats:p><jats:p>\n          Conclusion\u2003The retrosigmoid craniotomy is a workhorse skull base exposure, particularly for lesions located predominantly in the cerebellopontine angle. Operatively oriented neuroanatomy dissections provide trainees with a critical foundation for learning this fundamental skull base technique. We outline a comprehensive approach for neurosurgery residents to develop their familiarity with the retrosigmoid craniotomy in the cadaver laboratory in a way that simultaneously informs rapid learning in the operating room, and an understanding of its potential for wide clinical application to skull base diseases.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1055\/s-0039-1700513","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2019,10,28]],"date-time":"2019-10-28T23:47:58Z","timestamp":1572306478000},"page":"321-332","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":23,"title":["Anatomical Step-by-Step Dissection of Complex Skull Base Approaches for Trainees: Surgical Anatomy of the Retrosigmoid Approach"],"prefix":"10.1055","volume":"82","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-5314-1067","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Christopher S.","family":"Graffeo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Maria","family":"Peris-Celda","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States"},{"name":"Department of Neurosurgery, Albany Medical Center, Albany, New York, United States"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Avital","family":"Perry","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Lucas P.","family":"Carlstrom","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Colin L.W.","family":"Driscoll","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States"},{"name":"Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Michael J.","family":"Link","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States"},{"name":"Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"194","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2019,10,28]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref1","volume-title":"Atlas of Neurosurgery: Basic Approaches to Cranial and Vascular Procedures","author":"F B Meyer","year":"1999"},{"key":"ref2","volume-title":"Atlas of Operative Microneurosurgery","author":"J M Tew","year":"1994"},{"key":"ref3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"S93","DOI":"10.1097\/00006123-200009001-00013","article-title":"The cerebellopontine angle and posterior fossa 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