Endoscopic-enhanced supra-cerebellar trans-tentorial (SCTT) approach to temporo-mesial region: a multicenter study

Surgical access to the temporo-mesial area may be achieved by several routes such as the sub-temporal, the temporal trans-ventricular, the pterional/trans-sylvian, and the occipital interhemispheric approaches; nonetheless, none of them has shown to be superior to the others. The supra-cerebellar trans-tentorial approach allows a great exposure of the middle and posterior temporo-mesial region, while avoiding temporal lobe retraction. A prospective multicenter study was designed to collect data on patients undergoing endoscopic-enhanced SCTT approach to excise left temporo-mesial lesions. The study involved 5 different neurosurgical European centers and ran from 2015 to 2020. All patients had preoperative as well as postoperative brain MRI and ophthalmology evaluation. A total of 30 patients were included in this study, the mean follow-up was 44 months (range 18 to 84 months), male/female ratio was 16/14, and mean age was 39 years. A gross total resection was achieved in 29/30 (96.7%) cases. All surgical procedures were uneventful, without transient or permanent neurological deficits thanks to the preservation of the posterior cerebral artery. The endoscopic-enhanced SCTT approach provides satisfactory exposure to the left temporo-mesial region. Its minimally invasive nature helps minimize the surgical risks related to vascular and white tract manipulation, which represent known limitations of open microsurgical as well as other approaches.