RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To assess the suboccipital median transcerebellomedullary fissure keyhole approach in a cadaver model by using a neuronavigation system and explore its feasibility and operative indications. METHODS: Six 10% formaldehyde-fixed adult cadaveric head and neck specimens injected with colored latex were chosen for the study. First the suboccipital median transcerebellomedullary fissure keyhole approach was performed and the anatomical structures were observed under operative microscope. The exposed floor area of the fourth ventricle and the vertical and transverse angles at the point where the line between the lateral apertures crossing the median sulcus, vertical angle at the apertures of midbrain aqueduct and the obex were measured with the aid of a frameless stereotactic navigation device. Parameters were compared with those when C1 posterior arch was removed, and also with those under conventional approach with or without C1 arch. RESULTS: By means of adjusting specimen positions and the angle of operative microscope, as tela choroidea and inferior medullary velum were dissected gradually, the structures of floor, lateral recesses and lateral apertures of the fourth ventrical, vermian and aperture of midbrain aqueduct were exposed. There were no significant difference in the exposed floor area of the fourth ventricle between the keyhole approach and conventional approach (P = 0.06), and the C1 arch removal can't increase the exposed area (P = 0.84). The conventional approach have wider angles than the keyhole approach (P < 0.01), and the C1 arch removal increased the vertical angle (P < 0.05), but not the horizontal angle (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The suboccipital median transcerebellomedullary fissure keyhole approach can expose similar anatomic architectures as that of the conventional approach. Thus it can be used to remove the tumors located in the fourth ventricle, dorsum of pons and medullary oblongata and cerebellar vermis.