• Tobias Butzer, Sean C Sheppard, Sven Beckmann, Wilhelm Wimmer, Marco Caversaccio, and Lukas Anschuetz.
• Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Inselspital University, Hospital and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; Hearing Research Laboratory, ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
• World Neurosurg. 2022 Nov 1; 167: e1376e1386e1376-e1386.

ObjectiveState-of-the-art, minimally invasive endoscopic transcanal surgery of the internal auditory canal (IAC) sacrifices the cochlea with complete hearing loss. With a combination of the transcanal infracochlear and transmastoid retrolabyrinthine approaches, we aim to preserve hearing and enable minimally invasive surgical treatment of vestibular schwannoma. In this study, we investigate the anatomical indications and the feasibility of both approaches in dissections, in human whole head specimens.MethodsWe operated whole head anatomical specimens with a four-handed technique, using the retrolabyrinthine approach as the main surgical corridor and the infracochlear approach for endoscopic visualization. We tested 4 different powered surgical systems. We collected intraoperative data on the size of the access windows, the surgical freedom, and the exposed area of the IAC. Finally, we evaluated the outcome in postoperative computed tomography scans.ResultsSix out of 14 sides were anatomically suitable and qualified for the surgery based on preoperative computed tomography. In all attempted sides, the IAC could be reached and opened, leaving the ossicular chain and the labyrinth intact. 51%-75% of the length and 22%-40% of the circumference of the IAC could be exposed. All tested instruments were beneficial at different stages of the surgery. The four-handed technique enabled good maneuverability of the instruments.ConclusionsThe combined multiportal approach to the IAC is feasible with a good surgical exposure and full anatomical preservation of hearing. State-of-the-art surgical instruments in specimens with suitable anatomy are sufficient to perform this approach.Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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