[The Combined Petrosal Approach]

The combined petrosal approach can provide a wide and shallow surgical field around the ventral surface of the brain stem and the petroclival area. The minimal anterior and posterior combined petrosal approach(MAPCPA)is one modification of the combined petrosal approach. It offers the same wide surgical space in the subdural area and limits bone works and surgical time. Each surgical step of the MAPCPA is demonstrated in detail using several figures and a surgical video.