Open stereotactic neurosurgery: 57 cases

The two main neurosurgical tools are the operative microscope and stereotactic apparatus. The operative microscope is essential in cisternal or ventricular surgery and the stereotactic apparatus is essential in approaching intracerebral lesions. Both given their best performance when the one aids the other. Small convexity lesions are best approach with stereotactic aid, and excellent microsurgical intracerebral lesions can be debulked with the operative microscope. Malignant tumours pursue their inevitable course but slow growing tumours and angiomas may have long survival even with one subtotal removal. The major problem in removing slow-growing tumors is the difficulty in distinguishing tumour from normal brain, but the stereotactic guide is useful in delimitating tumour volume. The results in 57 cases are described.