Microfiberscope coaxial technique in neuroendoscopic surgery

Exploration in neuroendoscopic surgery is occasionally insufficient because of the structural limitations in endoscope. It is not easy to identify the precise position of the endoscope during an operation. We here show a coaxial technique for neuroendoscopic exploration with monitoring by means of a microfiberscope. The endoscopic coaxial technique consists of two scopes. The microfiberscope has a diameter of 0.75 mm, flexible body and high-quality image system. We tested its ability to visualize the subject at several distances and applied this coaxial technique in neuroendoscopic surgery. The microfiberscope not only visualizes the object but also magnifies it by a distance. The scope was easy to handle with monitoring of its movement in the endoscopic view. The technique allowed us to safely explore details which are difficult to approach with an ordinary fiberscope or rigid-rod scope. The microfiberscope also adjusts to the neuronal anatomy and many clinical situations. Taken together, the microfiber coaxial technique might offer new advantages to modern neuroendoscopic surgery.