Transpetrosal surgery techniques.

The complex anatomy of the region necessitates thorough study if transpetrosal surgery is to be performed with minimal patient morbidity. Furthermore, by using flexibility, a team approach, and preoperative planning, the surgical procedure can be tailored to the patient, rather than fitting the patient to a fixed surgical procedure. Finally, minimizing patient morbidity is equivalent to preservation of cranial nerves and crucial vascular structures. Close surveillance and judicious postoperative radiotherapy following cytoreductive surgery provides improved patient outcomes compared with radical surgery that results in cranial nerve deficits.