Historical Background and Practice of the Pterional Approach

Abstract

  First described by Hamby and later established by Yasargil, the pterional approach is considered one of the most useful approaches in neurosurgery. Operation of aneurysms at the anterior circulation and basilar bifurcation as well as tumors of the sellar and parasellar, orbital, subfrontal, chiasmatic, and interpeduncular regions has become possible through this approach. Here, we describe the historical background and technical aspects of the pterional approach with modifications introduced by us.