Obliteration of the Superior Petrosal Vein During Cerebellopontine Angle-Surgery: More Cons than Pros?

A profound knowledge of the anatomy and surgical management of the superior petrosal vein (SPV) is vital during neurosurgical procedures in the posterior fossa. The debate on preserving the SPV or whether it can be duly obliterated is still ongoing. This review provides an update on all historical articles pertaining to the risk profile of superior petrosal sacrifice since Walter Dandy. Not only were the heterogenous methods but also the respective authors' conclusions analyzed. In light of the collected evidence, we come to the conclusion that occluding the SPV poses an ineligible risk to patient safety and should be considered obsolete.