Clinical anatomy study of the far lateral suboccipital approach / 局解手术学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the microsurgical anatomy marks and parameters for thefar lateral suboccipital approach and to protect the vital structure in operations. Methods Through the far lateral suboccipital approach, 10 adult cadveric heads were anatomized. Under the microscopy, the involving muscles, bony structures, vessels and nerves were observed and measured anatomically. Results The distance from asteria to asteria was (21. 68 ± 1. 88) mm on the left and (22. 34 ± 2. 62) mm on the right. The distance from anterior asteria to mas-toidale was (38. 56 ± 3. 48) mm on the left and (39. 14 ± 2. 24) mm on the right. The distance from asteria to root of zygoma was (55. 72 ± 3. 64) mm on the left and (56. 16 ± 2. 72) mm on the right. Conclusion The suboccipital triangle and C2 nerve were the significant marks which can identify the vertebral artery. The bone anatomic landmarks in the far lateral suboccipital approach included anterior asteria, aste-ria, mastoidale and root of zygoma. These marks contributed the successful implementation of the far lateral suboccipital approach surgery.