Subtotal temporal bone resection (STBR) has been used for half a century to remove temporal bone malignancies. However, there are few reports on the detailed anatomy involved in the resection.

To describe the microsurgical anatomy of STBR combined en bloc with the resection of the parotid gland and temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

STBR can be combined with the total parotidectomy and the resection of the TMJ if the tumor extends into the parotid gland, TMJ, or facial nerve. In this study Komune et al. describe the step-by-step microsurgical anatomy of STBR en bloc with the parotid gland and TMJ. The surgical technique described combines 3 approaches: the high cervical, subtemporal-infratemporal fossa, and retromastoid-paracondylar approaches. Combining these 3 approaches aided in efficiently completing this modified approach.

STBR is a complicated and technically challenging procedure ¹⁾.