Operative spinal endoscopy: stereotopography and surgical possibilities

The polyprojective microstereotopography of spinal canal structures at the cerebello-spinal, cervical, thoracic, lumbosacral and cauda equina levels on 20 fresh cadavers is presented using flexiscopes 3.7-3.9 mm diameter. This is possible due to the space between spinal cord-vertebral canal which is about 10 mm at all levels. This also allows one to insert the endoscopic tube by posterior or interradicular approach. The subdural and subarachnoid endoscopic examinations have been performed through small foraminotomic openings with resection of the base of the spinous process. The anterior and posterior roots, the spinal cord, dural root sleeves, cerebellar tonsils, orifice of the IV ventricle, vertebral artery and its lower branches can be visualised. On the stereotopographic basis the first operations in patients with severe spinal cord injury (detection of multilevel cord compression, removal of massive subarachnoid bleeding), syringomyelia and haemorrhage into the IV ventricle (clot removal by the ascending cervical route) were undertaken. More than 10 real and probable indications for operative spinal endofiberoscopy are discussed.