Introduction: Surgical approaches to the foramen magnum are usually large procedures with a high potential for associated morbidity and mortality. Minimally invasive approaches offer the same potential benefits while disrupting less tissue, providing patients with less pain and the chance for an earlier recovery. There is evidence that the resection of up to 50% of the occipital condyle does not create instability of the craniocervical junction. We present the surgical anatomy of a direct approach to the foramen magnum through the occipital condyle using a minimally invasive technique, as well as two surgical cases that illustrate the feasibility of the procedure.