Numerous modifications to the retrosigmoid craniotomy (RSC) have been reported, including variations in skin incision, soft tissue dissection, craniotomy, and closure techniques. This study aims to demonstrate a modified suboccipital muscle dissection technique for RSC with a detailed anatomical description and to assess its effectiveness in minimizing postoperative wound complications.
✦ The floor
Discussion
Signed responses from readers of the wire.
This is a surgical technique paper of direct relevance to neurotologists/skull-base surgeons; audiologists have no actionable practice change from this finding.
CSF leak and infection are among the most serious complications of retrosigmoid craniotomy — a common approach for acoustic neuroma and other skull-base procedures — so technique refinements that reduce these risks matter to the broader skull-base team.
- 01Describes a layered suboccipital muscle dissection technique during retrosigmoid craniotomy.
- 02Primary aim is reducing postoperative CSF leak and surgical site infection.
- 03Published in Journal of Neurological Surgery B (2026).
- 04Technique-focused study; outcome data context is limited to the described series.
- 05Relevant to neurotologists and skull-base surgeons, not frontline audiologists.
Layered suboccipital muscle dissection during retrosigmoid craniotomy reduces CSF leak and infection risk.
studypartially supported- PMID
- 42626729
- DOI
- 10.1055/a-2706-1502.
- Journal
- Journal of Neurological Surgery B
- Publication type
- research_article
- Evidence level
- 4
- Population
- Patients undergoing retrosigmoid craniotomy for skull-base pathology
- Intervention
- Layered suboccipital muscle dissection during retrosigmoid craniotomy
Primary outcomes
CSF leak rate; Postoperative surgical site infection rate