Technological advances in skull base surgery

The options for skull base surgery have expanded dramatically during the last 2 decades. This expansion has been facilitated by the use of technological developments.Intraoperative navigation systems and intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging are 2 powerful tools that allow more aggressive surgical strategy with increased accuracy and safety. Intraoperative monitoring of the neural functions is another important tool to decrease the surgical risks. This is particularly important for brainstem and cranial nerves because these structures might be at risk during skull base surgery. Biologic glues proved to be very useful in skull base surgery. These substances may be used in skull base reconstruction, for protection or reconstruction of cranial nerves, and for vascular anastomosis.