The orbitozygomatic approach
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Updated: Aug 10, 2026

Surgical Approach to Full Soft Tissue Face Allograft Procurement for Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation
Published on: December 30, 2025
Wouter Ralph van Furth1, Anne Maria R Agur, Nicholas Woolridge
1Department of Neurosurgery, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. W.R.vanFurth@amc.uva.nl
Objective:
The orbitozygomatic approach is a modification and extension of the pterional craniotomy to gain a wider exposure of structures at a cranial base. To simplify the understanding and performance of the approach, we developed a teaching video that follows a systematic approach to the surgical anatomy and technique.
Methods:
The authors have incorporated three-dimensional (3D) renderings into the descriptions of the surgical technique and contemporary computer animation is used to demonstrate surgical details and nuances of the procedure.
Results:
A teaching video was compiled, and it was well received by neurosurgical residents in Europe and Canada.
Conclusion:
With mastery in the surgical laboratory and with guided supervision, the approach can be routinely applied without adding morbidity to a variety of pathologies such as aneurysms and tumors.
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