Ultrasound guided endoscopic neurosurgery--new surgical instrument and technique

For minimal invasive endoscopic neurosurgery, a mini-caliber endoscope equipped with a useful working channel and its guidance system is basically essential. We developed the device for ultrasound guided endoscopic neurosurgery. A minicaliber fiberscope with an outer diameter of 3.4 mm equipped with 2.5 mm of working channel for forceps, suction, and coagulation probe was developed. A 5 MHz phase arrayed 12 mm ultrasound probe was used as guidance system. A fixation device for the mini-caliber fiberscope and ultrasound probe was also constructed. The surgical procedure is very simple, and can be performed through a 2 cm burr hole. Real-time and a directly visualized image might provide more safety and reliability during brain surgery.