Abstract: Objective To investigate the value of 3D printing technology in locating the transverse sinus-sigmoid sinus in retrosigmoid sinus approach surgery. Methods 47 patients who underwent microvascular decompression surgery from January 2021 to January 2023 in the Department of Neurosurgery,Tongji Hospital,Tongji Medical College,Huazhong University of Science and Technology were selected to enter the study,and were divided into 2 groups according to whether 3D printing technology was applied to assist in transverse sinus-sigmoid sinus positioning:23 patients in the 3D printing group applied 3D printing technology to guide transverse sinus-sigmoid sinus;24 patients in the control group performed conventional craniotomy.The length of surgery,intraoperative blood loss and the accuracy of transverse sinus-sigmoid sinus migration(keyhole) localization were compared between the two groups. Results The accuracy of transverse sinus-sigmoid shift localization was significantly higher in the 3D printing group than in the control group(95.7% vs.71.0%),and the operative time was significantly less than in the control group[(120.8±9.1)min vs.(131.5±19.7 min)],and the intraoperative bleeding was also significantly less than in the control group[(28.3±32.4)ml vs.(67.5±76.0)ml],with statistically significant differences(P<0.05). Conclusion The application of 3D printing technology to assist in transverse sinus-sigmoid sinus positioning in the retrosigmoid sinus approach can help improve positioning accuracy,surgical efficiency and reduce intraoperative bleeding.

Key words: three-dimensional printing technology, retrosigmoid sinus approach, microvascular decompression surgery