Endoscopic Transorbital Approaches to Anterior and Middle Cranial Fossa: Exploring the Potentialities of a Modified Lateral Retrocanthal Approach.

Background: Among the new perspectives to revolutionize skull base surgery, there are the transorbital neuroendoscopic (TONES) approaches to reach the anterior and middle cranial fossa (ACF and MCF). We conceived to explore the potentialities of a modified superiorly and medially extended lateral retrocanthal (LRC) approach.

Methods: Six head specimens were dissected.

Endoscopic Transorbital Approaches to Anterior and Middle Cranial Fossa: A Laboratory Investigation on Surgical Anatomy and Potential Routes.

 Transorbital neuroendoscopic (TONES) approaches promise to open up new horizons for skull base surgery, offering alternative routes to reach the anterior and middle cranial fossa (ACF and MCF, respectively).  The aim of this anatomical study is to acquire new surgical anatomy knowledge and exploit it for the refinement of TONES approaches, as an alternative to open surgery, to reduce the distance to the target, and the risk of neurovascular lesions in pathological conditions extending beyond the orbital cavity.  Six head specimens (12 orbits) were studied/dissected.