The length of the freed optic nerve was sufficient, and the eyeball connected to the optic nerve was moved aside. The empty orbit thus became the best doorway to safety, directly behind it were the tumor and its "shield." The "shield" was the important brain tissue enveloping the tumor. Here they left a gap, which was the optimal point of attack.
Entering through this gap, one could avoid damaging the surrounding critical brain tissue and likewise avoid harming the dense network of blood vessels.
The surgery required strategy. Faced with a "Maginot Line," was it better to mount a frontal assault or to circumvent it with a surprise flank attack? The latter was clearly the more astute choice.
Despite the great risk of moving aside an eyeball, entering through the orbit sidestepped the dangerous areas. Compared with other approaches, it minimized the risk of death and disability. In a sense, it was the only path to success.
