Objective To explore the microsurgical approach for petroclival tumors to improve the surgical efficacy.Methods The clinical data of 35 patients with petroclival meningiomas,underwent microsurgery through subtemporal anterior transpetrosal approach in our hospital from April 2009 to October 2011,were analyzed retrospectively.For anatomical information,the micro-neurosurgical anatomical dissection,observation and measurement were performed under microscope by mimicking the subtemporal anterior transpetrosal approach on twenty sides of ten adult formalin-fixed cadaveric heads.The advantages and disadvantages of the three approaches were compared.Results Of these 35 patients,28 received total resection of the tumors,6 subtotal resection and 1 partial resection.After the operation,the symptoms and signs disappeared in 17 patients; the symptoms got relief in 10 patients; the symptom of cranial nerve was unchanged in 5,and the new neurological disturbance appeared in 3.Good exposure could be achieved in these different types of petroclival tumors by the three approaches.Conclusion The subtemporal anterior transpetrosal approch is the best choice for patients with petroclival tumors.