Endoscopic assisted microneurosurgery for cerebral aneurysms.

While there have been many advances in the field of microneurosurgery, the clipping of aneurysms remains an intricate procedure. Technical complications include residual aneurysm, perforator injuries, parent artery occlusion and cranial nerve injuries. The neuroendoscope is a useful tool and adjunct to the microsurgical clipping of these aneurysms. We study the usefulness of the neuroendoscope in enhancing visualisation during surgery. Twenty-four cases of ruptured cerebral aneurysms were operated on over a duration of 6 months in which a 1mm diameter rigid endoscope was used. We discuss our preliminary results and examine the advantages of the neuroendoscope. These include the ability to look around corners and behind obstructions. While this provides an additional view to the surgeon, the high magnification gives good definition of the surrounding structures. With less brain retraction, smaller operative exposures and yet better visualisation offered, neuroendoscopy may reduce operative morbidity.