3 Surgical Theory

In temporal bone surgery, knowledge of the theory underpinning the surgical practices is very important, again incomparable to any other form of surgery. There are several reasons for this:

• Many vital structures are located in a relatively small area.
  
• The area to be operated on is concealed deep within.
  
• The surgery involved is bone surgery, which implies that the surgeon may suddenly encounter a vital structure.
  
• Diseases of this region are mainly benign, so protection of the critical structures is paramount.

A surgeon wishing to work in this hazardous area should keep his or her knowledge up to date by reading the most recent publications providing detailed information on temporal bone procedures, and watching or assisting experienced surgeons during such operations, as well as carrying out temporal bone dissections. Acquiring adequate knowledge of surgical theory requires all these forms of instruction.

The surgical techniques chapters also include the underlying surgical theory. For more detailed information, the reader should refer to the books listed in the “Suggested Reading” section.