The pterional approach is an indicated neurosurgical approach commonly used for anterior circular aneurysms, suprasellar lesions, and medial sphenoid wing tumors (1,2). A curvilinear incision from the midline widows peak and extending laterally to 1 cm anterior to the tragus of the ear, terminating within a skin crease, with preservation of the superficial temporal artery if possible. The temporalis fascia is encountered and divided. Either the entire temporalis muscle can be elevated or a cuff of temporalis muscle can be left on the cranium to facilitate closure and suspend the temporalis muscle. Subperiosteal dissection of the muscle is performed and the craniotomies are then accomplished.
Reconstruction of the pterional approach can be accomplished with bony fixation of the bone flap. However, the TMS can be performed by:
1. Resuspension of the temporalis muscle to the cuff of muscle left on the temporal crest or
2. Suturing the temporalis muscle directly to one of the bone plates that is used to for fixation.
The purpose of this prospective study is see if traditional techniques to the closure and temporal muscle suspension (TMS) after the pterional approach will show any differences in post-operative temporal hollowing (TH).
