OBJECTIVETo discuss the advantages and disadvantages of transcallosal-interforniceal approach for resection of the third ventricle and the pineal region tumors.

METHODSThe clinical data of 24 cases from July 2008 to March 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. All 24 patients operated by transcallosal-interforniceal approach, among them, there were 14 males and 10 females, with a average age of 32 years ranged from 17 to 65 years and with medical history from 1 month to 10 years. Issues of managements were analyzed and discussed, including reasonable incision design, the managements of draining vein, the site and the length of the incision of the corpus callosum, tumor exposure in increased intracranial pressure, prevention of complications, skills of surgery, treatments of obstructive hydrocephalus, and postoperative managements.

RESULTSIn the 24 cases, there were 5 cases of pineal parenchymal tumors, 4 cases of germinoma, 3 cases of astrocytoma, 2 cases of hypothalamus hamartomas, 2 cases of ependymoma, 2 cases of mixed germ cell tumour, 2 cases of malignant lymphomas, 1 case of pineoblastoma, 1 case of dermoid cyst, 1 case of chordoid glioma and 1 case of craniopharyngioma. After surgeries, total removal achieved in 9 cases, and subtotal removal in 10 cases and partial removal in 5 cases. Operative mortality was 0. Combined third ventriculostomy were performed in 13 cases. Postoperative complications occurred in 5 cases, including frontoparietal epidural hematoma in 1 case; postoperative short-term memory loss in 3 cases, postoperative memory loss within 1 month in 2 cases and within 3 months in 1 case; frontoparietal subdural effusion in 1 case and the effusion disappeared without any treatment. Ventriculoperitoneal shunt was performed in 1 case.

CONCLUSIONSThe transcallosal-interforniceal approach is ideal for the removal of tumors in third ventricle as well as majority tumor in posterior of third ventricle in a skillful hand. Tumor resection combined with third ventriculostomy is the significant advantages in the approach.