Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Approach to Large Intraventricular Tumors

AIM: To analyze the safety and effectiveness of the minimally invasive endoscopic approach in the treatment of large intraventricular tumors. MATERIAL and METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the demographic, radiological, and surgical data of 8 patients who were operated on using the endoscope-plus-port technique for large (>5 cm) intraventricular tumors at our clinic between 2015 and 2020. All procedures were performed using the minimally invasive endoscopic approach. RESULTS: The cohort comprised 3 females and 5 males, with a mean age of 40.88 years. All tumors were located in the lateral ventricle; near-total resection was achieved in 3 patients and subtotal resection in 5 patients. External ventricular drainage was inserted in all patients postoperatively. The histological diagnosis was neurocytoma in 3 patients, glioblastoma in 2 patients, metastasis in 2 patients, and a grade II meningioma in 1 patient. No complications or mortality were reported in the 31-month follow- up period. CONCLUSION: Safe and effective tumor resection of intraventricular tumors is possible using the endoscope-plus-port, even in tumors >5 cm. This technique permits dynamic mobilization and facilitates bimanual operation, increasing resection rates and improving outcomes for these tumors.