Outcomes of microsurgical treatment for petrous apex tumors using the Kawase approach

Abstract Introduction: Lesions in the petrous apex region present a significant challenge for surgeons due to the deep location at the skull base and complex anatomical relations. The Kawase approach, or partial resection of the anterior petrous temporal bone, though widely adopted worldwide, remains under-researched in Vietnam. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 25 patients treated surgically using the Kawase approach at Viet Duc University Hospital from January 2022 to May 2024 Results: The average age was 53.9 years, with a male/female ratio of 1/5,25. Clinical symptoms included: Trigeminal nerve pain/numbness (60%), headaches (52%), and dizziness (40%). Regarding the histopathology aspect, there were Meningiomas (16), Trigeminal schwannomas (6), Chordomas (2), Teratoma (1). The average tumor size was 28 ±11.3mm. Ability of complete tumor resection were: total resection (14 cases), subtotal (4 cases), partial (6 cases), unresectable and biopsy only (1 case). The per-operative and postoperative complication rates accounted for 12%, however, no mortality was observed in this series. Conclusions: The Kawase approach is a safe and effective method for accessing tumors in the petrous apex region. Keywords: Petrous apex, Kawase approach, petrous bone – clivus.