Anatomic reconstruction of the posterolateral cranial base with titanium micromesh for combined transpetrosal approach: Technical note

OBJECTIVE: We describe a new technique for the anatomic closure of the posterior petrosectomy defect after the combined supra-infratentorial transpetrosal approach for petroclival lesions. METHODS: With this technique, a titanium micromesh, tailored according to the defect of the drilled petrous bone and contoured to the outer appearance of the posterolateral cranial base, is used to cover the petrosectomy area. The mesh is fixed to the cranium and to the repositioned bone flap with titanium microscrews. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: To date, this technique has proven to be simple and rapid and has been used in 10 patients who were operated on for various tumorous and vascular lesions of the petroclival region. Excellent cosmetic results were achieved, and no technique-related complications occurred.