Combined retrolabyrinthine-retrosigmoid approach for improved exposure of the posterior fossa without cerebellar retraction.

The combined retrolabyrinthine-retrosigmoid (CRR) approach utilizes anterior retraction of the sigmoid sinus to improve exposure of the posterior fossa without cerebellar retraction. The CRR was initially used for vestibular neurectomy but is now utilized for acoustic neuroma excision with hearing preservation and exposure for clipping of basilar and vertebrobasilar aneurysms. This excellent exposure of the cerebellopontine angle without cerebellar retraction can be used for all posterior fossa exposures.