Elucidation of the Cranial Arterial Anatomy Using the Transorbital Endoscopic Approach

New surgical techniques that access the orbit and intracranial cavity have been developed in recent years called transorbital neuroendoscopic surgery. The superior eyelid route, as a transorbital corridor, is a clinically feasible route to access selected anterior and middle skull base pathologies. However, studies regarding the suitability of this approach in vascular surgery are lacking. In this study, transorbital endoscopic dissections were performed bilaterally in 4 cadavers through the superior eyelid approach. The authors aimed to define the arterial vascular structures that can be accessed through this approach. In this study, the M1 and M2 segments of the middle cerebral artery and the branches originating from it were accessible with a 0 degree endoscope after an appropriate dissection. Thus, the endoscopic superior eyelid approach may be a novel alternative approach for some cranial pathologies.