AIM: To present the ability of standard intraoperative neuronavigation to reliably identify the stylomastoid foramen, thus providing a quick and effective recognition of the facial nerve at its exit from the skull base.MATERIAL and METHODS: We describe the technical nuances of this procedure by presenting two surgical cases who underwent hypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis for complete facial nerve palsy occurring post removal of a giant vestibular schwannoma 6 months earlier.RESULTS: CT-based neuronavigation allowed a quick and reliable identification of the stylomastoid foramen and of the facial nerve at its exit from the skull. The entire procedure lasted for 3 hours. Three months after the anastomosis, the first signs of facial muscle reinnervation were visible.CONCLUSION: The use of neuronavigation during hypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis is a simple and cost-effective strategy to decrease operative duration and increase surgical effectiveness.
Auricchio, A. M., D'Alessandris, Q. G., Mattogno, P. P., Marquez, E. M. F., Lauretti, L., CT-Based Intraoperative Navigation for Quick Identification of the Stylomastoid Foramen During Hypoglossal-Facial Nerve Anastomosis, <<TURKISH NEUROSURGERY>>, 2023; 33 (1): 171-175. [doi:10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.37301-21.2] [https://hdl.handle.net/10807/235691]
CT-Based Intraoperative Navigation for Quick Identification of the Stylomastoid Foramen During Hypoglossal-Facial Nerve Anastomosis
Auricchio, Anna Maria
;D'Alessandris, Quintino Giorgio;Mattogno, Pier Paolo;Lauretti, Liverana
2023
Abstract
AIM: To present the ability of standard intraoperative neuronavigation to reliably identify the stylomastoid foramen, thus providing a quick and effective recognition of the facial nerve at its exit from the skull base.MATERIAL and METHODS: We describe the technical nuances of this procedure by presenting two surgical cases who underwent hypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis for complete facial nerve palsy occurring post removal of a giant vestibular schwannoma 6 months earlier.RESULTS: CT-based neuronavigation allowed a quick and reliable identification of the stylomastoid foramen and of the facial nerve at its exit from the skull. The entire procedure lasted for 3 hours. Three months after the anastomosis, the first signs of facial muscle reinnervation were visible.CONCLUSION: The use of neuronavigation during hypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis is a simple and cost-effective strategy to decrease operative duration and increase surgical effectiveness.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.