Anatomy of the lateral base of the skull: development of a method of study

Abstract

Introduction: Surgery of the lateral base of the skull is a medical specialty still in full development. There are few centers of excellence that have the required physical and human structure to perform these procedures safely. The development of the teaching method based on dissection of cadavers in an anatomy lab is fundamental to the correct training of surgeons in this specialty. Objectives: To describe the development of a method of study of the lateral base of the skull. Methods: In this study we dissected fresh cadavers prepared with dye solution injected in the intracranial arteries and veins. We performed the classical accesses to the lateral base of the skull in such a manner to allow the establishment of a dissection route and the advantage of the anatomical part. The confection of teaching material was carried out through a digital reflex camera. Results: The training program was structured in stages: 1) Study of the teaching material developed in this research project and available in digital slides and films in the infra-structure of stage; 2) Obtain a high degree of familiarity and competence with micro-surgical instruments, using the stages of dissection of temporal bones; 3) Preparation of the anatomical parts with injection of dye; 4) Dissection under supervision following the route described in this project. Conclusions: The teaching of surgery should include dissection in an anatomy lab, which allows a reduction of the time of learning curve and better anatomical knowledge.