Lateral temporal polar approach to mesial temporal lesions.

A newly developed lateral temporal polar surgical approach to the mesiobasal temporal region was applied to 25 consecutive patients with mesially confined temporal lobe lesions. This approach is characterized by a very limited resection of the lateral temporal cortex and a direct approach to the uncal area. The advantages of this method are clear orientation to the mesial temporal structures, easy access to the posteromesial part of the temporal lobe, and preservation of functionally important structures, such as the lateral temporal speech area, optic radiation, and temporal stem. Details of the surgical procedure are described.