Abstract:Abstract:ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect of two surgical approaches for trigeminal schwannomas straddling the middle and posterior fossae.MethodsClinical data of 24 patients with trigeminal schwannomas simultaneously straddling the middle and posterior fossae were analyzed retrospectively. The adopted surgical approaches included supratentorial frontaltemporal interdural approach with Dolenc technique and infratentorial subdural retrosigmoid approach.ResultsOf all the patients, 16 undergoing tumor resection via supratentorial approach and 8 via infratentorial approach. Total and subtotal tumor resection was achieved in 7 and 9 of the 16 patients undergoing tumor resection via supratentorial approach, while total and subtotal tumor resection was achieved in 5 and 3 of the 8 cases via infratentorial approach.ConclusionAlthough Dolenc approach has low disability rate and fatality rate, retrosigmoid approach may increase the possibility of nerve function preservation and achieve high total resection rate.