Resection of pineal region tumors in children through modified Poppen approach

Objective To evaluate the efficiency and safety of the surgical procedure to deal with the tumors in pineal region of children.Methods 9 children who suffered from the pineal region tumors received the modified Poppen approach in TianjinHuanhu hospital from January 2008 to October 2011.Three main techniques were included in the reformative Poppen approach:straight incision of scalp starting from the external occipital jut and then extending just between the lines of transversesinus and superiorsagittal sinus for 5 ～ 7 cm,a little rounded skull window with a diameter of 3.5 cm,and instead of along the straight sinus as the classical Poppen approach,the tentorial was incised just from the confluence of sinus and then agley go to the tentorial edge.The results were evaluated with indexes such as the rate of gross total resection (GTR) of tumors,the complication derived from the approach,the duration between cranial opening and closing.Results The GTR was 77.8％.The rate of bridging vein injury was 11.1％.The homonymous hemianopia rate was 22.2％.The duration between cranial opening and closing was ( 25.4 ± 4.4 ) mins.There was no death.Conclusions The modified Poppen approach could offer enough visual field and space to resect the pineal region tumorsof children drasticallyand safely. Key words: Children;  Pineal region tumor;  Poppen approach