[Surgical approaches to the cavernous sinus--repair of a C-C fistula at the C5 portion of the internal carotid artery].

It has been generally accepted that the direct approach to the cavernous sinus under the normal temperature is very difficult and dangerous. Bleeding from the cavernous sinus is thought to be very difficult to control. However, when the patient is kept in semi-sitting position during the operation, the venous pressure of the cavernous sinus can be decreased nearly to 0 and the cavernous sinus can be opened without any serious bleeding. Either insertion of Biobond soaked Oxycel or alternative insertion of fibrinogen soaked Gelfoam and thrombin soaked Gelfoam into the opened cavernous sinus is made to control bleeding. In the case of C-C fistula, if the cavernous portion of the carotid artery is trapped by application of temporary clips to the cervical portion of the external and internal carotid artery and the C2 portion of the internal carotid artery, one could perform the operation without any uncontrollable serious bleeding in the same manner. In such cases, in order to prevent ischemia of the brain during interruption of the internal carotid flow, EC-IC bypass is indicated and performed about two weeks prior to the direct attack of the cavernous sinus. The operation consists of subfronto-pterional transsylvian approach, removal of the anterior clinoid process, removal of the superior, lateral and inferior walls of the optic foramen as far anteriorly as possible, opening of the anterior inferior cavity and the medial cavity through the medial triangle in order to isolate the C3 and C4 portions of the internal carotid artery, and then exposure of the C5 portion of the internal carotid artery via the Parkinson's triangle.