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Special article
Available online 24 February 2026

Inframeatal intradural retrosigmoid petrosectomy (IIRP): Multicenter experience and anatomical review of an effective approach to the petroclival region

Petrosectomía retrosigmoidea intradural inframeatal (IIRP): experiencia multicéntrica y revisión anatómica de un abordaje eficaz para la región petroclival
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Pedro Miguel González-Vargasa,b,c,
Corresponding author
pgonzalezvargas@hotmail.com

Corresponding author.
, José Luis Thenier-Villad, Álvaro Martín-Gallegoc, Pablo Sanromán Álvareza,b, Antonio Riveiroe,f,g, Rosa María Martínez Rolána,b, Juan Poue,g,h
a Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Complex of Vigo, Vigo, Spain
b Neuroscience Research Group, Galicia Sur Health Research Institute, Vigo, Spain
c Department of Neurosurgery, Vithas Vigo Hospital, Vigo, Spain
d Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Arnau de Vilanova, Lérida, Spain
e Laser On Research Group, CINTECX, Universidade de Vigo, Lagoas-Marcosende, 36310 Vigo, Spain
f Materials Engineering, Applied Mechanics and Construction Department, E.E.I., University of Vigo, Lagoas-Marcosende, 36310 Vigo, Spain
g Galicia Sur Health Research Institute (IIS Galicia Sur), SERGAS-Universidade de Vigo (UVIGO), 36312 Vigo, Spain
h Applied Physics Department, E.E.I., Universidade de Vigo, Lagoas-Marcosende, 36310 Vigo, Spain
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Abstract
Introduction

Tumorous and infectious lesions of the petrous bone pose a surgical challenge due to their deep location and proximity to critical neurovascular structures. Inframeatal intradural retrosigmoid petrosectomy (IIRP) is an alternative route that allows direct access to the petrous apex with minimal morbidity.

Methods

Retrospective study of 11 patients who underwent IIRP between 2015 and 2025 in two hospitals in southern Galicia. Demographic variables, type of lesion, surgical time, degree of resection, complications, and progression-free survival were collected. A descriptive analysis and Kaplan–Meier curve were performed.

Results

Eleven patients were included (7 women, 4 men; mean age 48.9 years). Lesions included invasive cholesteatoma (n=4), petroclival meningiomas (n=2), chondrosarcoma (n=1), atypical schwannoma (n=1), squamous cell carcinoma (n=1), breast cancer metastasis (n=1) and an intraosseous abscess due to Actinomyces (n=1). Gross total resection was achieved in 81.8%, with one transient complication (9.1%) and one recurrence. Progression-free survival analysis showed satisfactory recurrence-free survival up to 20 months.

Conclusion

IIRP is a safe, effective, and versatile technique for approaching select lesions of the petrous bone. It allows sufficient exposure with low morbidity and is also useful in refractory infectious cases.

Keywords:
Retrosigmoid approach
Inframeatal petrosectomy
Petroclival region
Skull base neurosurgery
Petrous apex abscess
Resumen
Introducción

Las lesiones tumorales e infecciosas del peñasco representan un desafío quirúrgico debido a su ubicación profunda y proximidad a estructuras neurovasculares críticas. La petrosectomía retrosigmoidea intradural inframeatal (IIRP) es una vía alternativa que permite el acceso directo al ápice petroso con mínima morbilidad.

Métodos

Estudio retrospectivo de 11 pacientes sometidos a IIRP entre 2015 y 2025 en dos hospitales del sur de Galicia. Se recogieron variables demográficas, tipo de lesión, tiempo quirúrgico, grado de resección, complicaciones y supervivencia libre de progresión. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo y una curva de Kaplan-Meier.

Resultados

Se incluyeron once pacientes (7 mujeres, 4 hombres; edad media de 48,9 años). Las lesiones incluyeron colesteatoma invasivo (n=4), meningiomas petroclivales (n=2), condrosarcoma (n=1), schwannoma atípico (n=1), carcinoma escamocelular (n=1), metástasis de cáncer de mama (n=1) y un absceso intraóseo por Actinomyces (n=1). Se logró una resección total macroscópica en el 81,8% de los pacientes, con una complicación transitoria (9,1%) y una recurrencia. El análisis de supervivencia libre de progresión mostró una supervivencia libre de recurrencia satisfactoria hasta 20 meses.

Conclusión

La IIRP es una técnica segura, eficaz y versátil para el abordaje de lesiones seleccionadas del peñasco. Permite una exposición adecuada con baja morbilidad y también es útil en casos infecciosos refractarios.

Palabras clave:
Abordaje retrosigmoideo
Petrosectomía inframeatal
Región petroclival
Neurocirugía de la base del cráneo
Absceso del ápice petroso

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