3. To achieve adequate preoperative training and rehearsal of complex approaches to the cranial base

The skull base laboratory is a state of the art facility which integrates exquisite cadaveric dissections, 3-D visualization, virtual reality, and computerized simulation for training of surgical procedures and visuospatial skills. A robotically controlled microscope is used for surgical planning and to perform skull base surgical procedures on cadavers.

This training setting allows surgeons and residents to practice procedures in an environment in which mistakes have no dire consequences, lowering the risk associated with training on human patients and establishing standards and optimization of specific procedures. > read more about the Skull Base Lab

aneurysm clipping

Many brain tumors and other conditions affect the skull base. These include brain tumors, pituitary tumors, acoustic neuromas, meningiomas, and other types of tumors and developmental abnormalities and infections. Lesions of the skull base present a unique challenge to neurosurgeons. A special training is required to perform such intricate surgery in the small recesses of the brain. In fact most skull base neurosurgical approaches require dexterity with surgical instrumentation, specifically bone removal instruments, often through restricted corridors that contain vital structures in the surrounding area. This aspect of surgery demands that surgeons be proficient not only with the tools but also with the complex anatomy to be negotiated: the development of a sense of the

Skull Base Surgery

training for brain tumor

Mission

Educating neurosurgeons

Skull Base Surgery training

A special training setting is required to learn how to perform complex skull base surgery procedures. Cadaver dissection laboratory environment is the ideal training arena for neurosurgical residents and surgeons. Dr Bernardo has designed, set up and directed several skull base laboratories in US and in many locations around the world. He has recently designed at Weill Cornell Medical College a full immersive, three-dimensional skull base microneurosurgery laboratory. In the skull base laboratory complex approaches to the cranial base are performed on cadavers under conditions that simulate an actual operation as closely as possible.The laboratory features 3D technology to pursue research and educational objectives:

1. To define cadaver prosection models to investigate new surgical routes to access intracranial targets.

2. To teach neurosurgeons and residents the visuospacial skills required to navigate through a neurosurgical approach

anatomic relationships between neural and vascular structures encased by bone is critical and requires practice.

Dr Bernardo has trained extensively on complex surgical procedures to best access and remove these lesions. He has acquired a vast experience performing thousands of complex procedures to address skull base lesions. Dr Bernardo is surgical consultant in many countries where he performs skull base surgery on a routine basis

Dr Bernardo is committed to educate neurosurgeons, to make the most out of their talent,to help them achieve their goals, to instill a sense of professionalism, a commitment to excellence and to build a foundation for providing compassionate and high quality care to patients.

It's always about the patient

Antonio Bernardo, MD

Simply put, Dr Bernardo's mission is devoted to provide the patients with best medical care by achieving excellence in his medical practice and by supporting innovation and excellence in education and research.

I was blown away by the dedication and commitment shown by Dr Bernardo. After I spoke with him I felt I had nothing to worry. I immediately knew he would have done the very best for me.

patient for Ecuador 2009

He took the time to explain me in every detail what he was going to do and showed me the best empathy I could have ever expected. i trusted my life in his skilled hands and now I feel blessed I did.

patient for Peru 2011

When I was told that there was a surgeon from USA who was going to do this very complex surgery on me, I was very afraid of the entire situation, but when I met Dr Bernardo I had the immediate feeling that I was in good hands