Surgery for craniovertebral junction pathologies: minimally invasive anterior submandibular retropharyngeal key-hole approach

BACKGROUND: Our objective was to develop a new, minimally invasive surgical technique for the resolution of craniovertebral junction pathologies, which can eliminate the complications of the previous methods, like liquor-leakage, velopharyngeal insufficiency and wound-dehiscence associated with the transoral or lateral approaches. METHODS: During the first stage of the operation, three patients underwent occipito-cervical dorsal fusion, while the fourth patient received C1–C2 fusion according to Harms. C1–C2 decompressive laminectomy was performed in all four cases. Ventral C1–C2 decompression with microscope assisted minimally invasive anterior submandibular retropharyngeal key-hole approach (MIS ASR) method was performed in the second stage. The MIS ASR—similarly to the traditional anterior retropharyngeal surgery—preserves the hard and soft palates, yet can be performed through a 25 mm wide incision with the use of only one retractor. RESULTS: The MIS ASR approach was a success in all four cases, there were no intra- and postoperative complications. This method, compared to the transoral approach, provided on average 23% (4.56 cm(2)/6.05 cm(2)) smaller dural decompression area; nonetheless, the entire pathology could be removed in all cases. After the surgery, all patients have shown significant neurological improvement. CONCLUSION: Based on the outcome of these four cases we think that the MIS ASR approach is a safe alternative to the traditional methods while improving patient safety by reducing the risk of complications. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12893-021-01198-z.