In the last decades, skull base surgery had passed through an impressive evolution. The role of neuroanatomic research has been uppermost, and it has played a central role in the development of novel techniques directed to the skull base. Indeed, the deep and comprehensive study of skull base anatomy has been one of the keys of success of the endoscopic endonasal approach to the skull base. In the same way, dedicated efforts expended in the anatomic lab has been a powerful force for the growth of the endoscopic transorbital approach to the lateral skull base.
Therefore, in this conceptual paper, the main steps for the anatomic description of the endoscopic transorbital approach to the skull base have been detailed.
The anatomic journey for the development of the endoscopic transorbital approach to the skull base has been analyzed, and four “conceptual” steps have been highlighted.
As neurosurgeons, the eyeball has always represented a respectful area: to become familiar with this complex and delicate anatomy, we started by examining the orbital anatomy on a dry skull (step 1). Hence,
The conceptual analysis of the anatomic journey for the description of the endoscopic transorbital approach to the skull base resulted in four main methodological steps that should not be thought strictly consequential but rather interconnected. Indeed, such steps should evolve following the drives that can arise in each specific situation. In conclusion, the