0000000000016811
AUTHOR
Ronald Filippi
Surgical technique of the supraorbital key-hole craniotomy.
BACKGROUND The enormous development of microsurgical techniques and instrumentation together with preoperative planning using the excellent preoperative diagnostic facilities available, enables neurosurgeons to treat more complicated diseases through smaller and more specific approaches. METHODS The technical details of the supraorbital key-hole craniotomy are described in this article as it has been evolving in our experience for more than 10 years. After an eyebrow skin incision with careful soft tissue dissection and single frontobasal burr-hole trephination, a supraorbital craniotomy is carried out with a diameter of about 1.5 x 2.5 cm. As a real frontolateral approach, the supraorbital…
Bovine pericardium for duraplasty: clinical results in 32 patients.
Bovine pericardium has been widely used for grafts in cardiac surgery and seems to have suitable properties for use as a dural graft. We report on the use of solvent-preserved, gamma-sterilized Tutoplast bovine pericardium for dural grafts in 32 patients undergoing cranial and spinal operations with the objective of clinically assessing this material and technique by a retrospective analysis. All available records were reviewed and information regarding the indication for grafting, complications, and outcome were collected and analyzed for all patients. Indications for grafting included tethered cord myelolysis, closure of lumbosacral myeloceles, Chiari decompression, posterior fossa cranio…
Moderate controlled cortical contusion in pigs: effects on multi-parametric neuromonitoring and clinical relevance.
Over the last decade, routine neuromonitoring of ICP and CPP has been extended with new on-line techniques such as microdialysis, tissue oxygen (ptiO(2)), acid-base balance (ptiCO(2), pH) and CBF measurements, which so far have not lead to clear-cut therapy approaches in the neurointensive care unit. This is partially due to the complex pathophysiology following a wide-range of brain injuries, and the lack of suitable animal models allowing simultaneous, clinically relevant neuromonitoring under controlled conditions. Therefore, a controlled cortical impact (CCI) model in large animals (pig) has been developed. After placement of microdialysis, ptiO(2), temperature and ICP catheters, an uni…
Brain tissue pO2 related to SjvO2, ICP, and CPP in severe brain injury
The aim of this report is to present first experience in comparing the course of brain tissue oxygen pressure values (PtiO2) to changes in jugular vein oxygen saturation (SjvO2), intracranial pressure (ICP), and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) after severe brain injury. PtiO2 monitoring was done using a polarographic Clark type microcatheter (LICOX pO2 probe) (GMS, Kiel, Germany) with a diameter of 0.5 mm and a sensitive area 7.9 mm long inserted in a right frontal position. The microcatheter was connected to a LICOX pO2 device. A fiber-optic catheter was used to measure SjvO2 and placed into the right internal jugular vein. The ICP monitoring was performed with a fiber-optic intraparench…
Computer-aided navigation in neurosurgery
The article comprises three main parts: a historical review on navigation, the mathematical basics for calculation and the clinical applications of navigation devices. Main historical steps are described from the first idea till the realisation of the frame-based and frameless navigation devices including robots. In particular the idea of robots can be traced back to the Iliad of Homer, the first testimony of European literature over 2500 years ago. In the second part the mathematical calculation of the mapping between the navigation and the image space is demonstrated, including different registration modalities and error estimations. The error of the navigation has to be divided into the …
TUMORS OF THE LATERAL AND THIRD VENTRICLE
Abstract OBJECTIVE: Intraventricular tumors usually are managed by approaches and microsurgical techniques that need retraction and dissection of important brain structures. Minimally invasive endoscopic procedures achieve a remarkable alternative to conventional microneurosurgical techniques. Endoscope-assisted microneurosurgery may be a minimally invasive technique with maximally effective treatment. Using the keyhole concept for planning the surgical strategy, the reduction of the brain retraction is achieved, which is one of the main benefits of this technique. METHODS: We treated 35 patients (16 female patients and 19 male patients) with tumors in the lateral (n = 8) and the third (n =…
Histological Findings in Coil-packed Experimental Aneurysms 3 Months after Embolization
ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE Knowledge regarding tissue reactions within coil-packed aneurysms is poor. The purpose of this study was to analyze histological changes in a chronic experimental bifurcation aneurysm model that might explain the protective effect of Guglielmi detachable coils. METHODS The aneurysms were produced by means of a venous graft pouch at a surgically created bifurcation of the carotid artery in the neck of rabbits. After 3 weeks, embolization with Guglielmi detachable coils was performed in the treatment group but not in the control group (seven rabbits each). At the time of embolization, six of seven treated aneurysms were completely occluded according to radiological criteria…
New method of bone reconstruction designed for skull base surgery
The direct endonasal or transoral transclival approaches to the skull base permit effective, minimally invasive surgery along the clivus. Developing long-term, effective techniques to prevent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks and their consequences (infection and delayed healing) remains a major challenge. In this study we describe a method of bone reconstruction newly developed by us, which uses a custom designed silicone plug for bone replacement after minimally invasive skull base surgery with a low incidence of postoperative CSF leaks. German Landrace pigs were used to test the efficiency of the new technique. Twelve craniotomies were performed in six pigs using a subtemporal approach and…
Tightness of duraplasty in rabbits: a comparative study.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to test, in rabbits, the tightness of seven dural substitution materials commonly used in neurosurgery, i.e., Lyodura (B. Braun Melsungen AG, Melsungen, Germany), Tutoplast dura (Tutogen Medical, Inc., Parsippany, NJ), Tutoplast fascia lata (Tutogen Medical, Inc.), autologous periosteum, Neuropatch (B. Braun Melsungen AG), Dacron (E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co., Wilmington, DE), and Ethisorb (Ethicon, Inc., Somerville, NJ). METHODS: Duraplasties were performed with sutures alone or were additionally fixed with fibrin glue. Leakage pressures were assessed by infusion of artificial cerebrospinal fluid, containing sodium fluorescein, into the cisterna …
Effect of Intra-Arterial Infusion of Papaverine Hydrochloride on Brain Tissue Oxygen Pressure in the Management of Severe Vasospasm Following Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Despite considerable advances in diagnostic, surgical and interventional techniques, the overall outcome for patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage remains poor. Concerning perioperative course, cerebral ischaemia is one of the major factors causing secondary brain demage. The aim of all therapeutic interventions is the stabilization and maintance of cerebral blood flow and tissue oxygenation in order to prevent cerebral ischaemia and consecutively brain infarction [1].
Endoscopic and endoscope-assisted neurosurgical treatment of suprasellar arachnoidal cysts (Mickey Mouse cysts).
Suprasellar arachnoid cysts represent less than 10% of all intracranial arachnoid cysts. Some of them may be quiescent throughout life, some may become symptomatic as they become enlarged and some disappear spontaneously. In this study we discuss the surgical strategies for endoscopic and endoscope-assisted treatment of suprasellar (Mickey Mouse) cysts and analyze the clinical results and experience collected over some years in our department upon doing these operations routinely. Between December 1996 and December 2003, 13 patients (7 female and 6 male patients), mean age 29 years, underwent endoscopic or endoscope-assisted procedures for suprasellar cysts at our department. The indication…