The only course-based certificate granting program in skull base surgery in North America, this program provides in depth immersive training in advanced approaches and techniques in skull base neurosurgery. This intimate dissection-based course takes you on a journey through the skull base and provides skills-based stepwise instruction on anterior/anterolateral, lateral, and posterolateral skull base approaches, respectively. The first two days provide in depth instruction on the fronto-orbitozygomatic approach and its variants, periclinoid techniques and extradural access to the cavernous sinus, intradural parasellar exploration, and transcavernous routes to the retrosellar area, as well unilateral subfrontal corridor to the basal cisterns and transcranial routes to the orbit. The third and fourth days cover anterior and posterior transpetrosal approaches, including the middle fossa and extended middle fossa anterior transpetrosal approaches and the peri- and translabyrinthine approaches, as well as the transcochlear and the combined subtemporal transtentorial approach. The fifth and sixth days provide an extensive review of the far lateral approach and its variants, as well as lateral extracranial approaches to the upper cervical region, infratemporal fossa, and clivus. The course material are all presented in an immersive 3D format in Weill Cornell’s state-of-the-art Neurosurgical Innovations and Training Center. This unique hands-on certification program affords surgeons excellent preoperative training and rehearsal of current, advanced approaches and techniques in cranial base surgery.

Core Competencies
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to perform:

• Fronto-orbitozygomatic approach and its variants
• Peri-orbital exposure of the superior orbital fissure
• Transcranial routes to the orbit and orbital exposure and dissection
• Periclinoid maneuvers and extradural exposure of the cavernous sinus
• Intradural parasellar exposure
• Transcavernous route to the retrosellar area
• Unilateral subfrontal approach
• Middle fossa approach to the internal auditory canal
• Extended middle fossa anterior transpetrosal approach
• Surgical corridors to the cerebellopontine angle
• Mastoidectomy
• Perilabyrinthine approaches
• Translabyrinthine and transcochlear approaches
• Combined transmastoid and subtemporal transtentorial approaches
• Far lateral transtuburcular approach
• Extreme lateral approach
• Upper lateral cervical dissection to the extracranial jugular foramen
• Extracranial lateral approaches to the infratemporal fossa and clivus

Target Audience
Practicing neurosurgeons, neurotologists, senior residents, and fellows.

Modules
Days 1–2 – Anterior and Anterolateral Transcranial Approaches
Days 3–4 – Lateral Transpetrosal Approaches
Days 5–6 – Posterolateral Transcranial and Lateral Extracranial Approaches

Schedule

	Day 1: Anterolateral Transcranial Approaches I	Day 2: Anterolateral Transcranial Approaches II	Day 3: Lateral Transpetrosal Approaches	Day 4: Lateral Transpetrosal Approaches	Day 5: Posterolateral Transcranial Approaches	Day 6: Extracranial and Combined Approaches
Morning	Fronto-orbitozygomatic Approach and Variants Transcranial Routes to the Orbit and Orbital Exposure	Extradural Exposure and Access to the Cavernous Sinus Transcavernous Routes to the Retrosellar Area	Middle Fossa Approach and Exposure of the Internal Auditory Canal	Mastoidectomy Peri- and Translabyrinthine Approaches	Far Lateral Transcondylar Transtuburcular Approach Extreme Lateral Approach	Extracranial Routes to the Infratemporal Fossa and Clivus Combined Lateral and Posterolateral Skull Base Approaches
Afternoon	Exposure of the Superior Orbital Fissure Application of Periclinoid Techniques	Intradural Parasellar Access Pericavernous Routes to the Retrosellar Area	Extended Middle Fossa Anterior Transpetrosal Approach and Exposure of the Cerebellopontine Angle	Transotic and Transcochlear Approaches Combined Transmastoid and Subtemporal Transtentorial Approach	Upper Lateral Cervical Dissection Exposure of the Extracranial Jugular Foramen	Infratemporal Fossa Type A Approach Free Dissection

Enrollment Fees
Resident/Fellow/Attending – $6,000

Hotel
Nearby hotels include The Bentley Hotel, the Gardens Suites Hotel by Affinia, and the Graduate Hotel Roosevelt Island (for the Graduate Hotel, use promo code NEGWEILL for 15% off). Additionally, on-site accommodation is available at the NewYork-Presbyterian Helmsley Tower Guest Facility.

Questions?
Feel free to contact us via e-mail at skullbasecourses@med.cornell.edu or by phone at (212) 746-1468.