What is cranial endoscopy?
Cranial endoscopy is a technique increasingly used in Neurosurgery, as it is a very minimally invasive procedure to access the cranial cavity through an endoscope. Through small holes in this part of the body can be accessed with the endoscopic device to carry out different types of surgeries that previously were much more complicated operations because they required opening the skull completely. It is performed under intravenous sedation.
The main objective is minimal invasiveness.
Why is it performed?
Cranial endoscopy is a much less traumatic procedure than the traditional procedure. It is mainly performed to remove cystic brain tumors and acoustic tumors through an incision of only five or six centimeters or using a cranial perforation of twelve to fourteen millimeters, through which the procedure is performed. In addition, the postoperative period is much lighter since the wound is smaller, which also results in less blood loss. Therefore, the hospital stay is reduced compared to an operation by the conventional method.
What does it consist of?
The endoscope is a very versatile element and it is possible to visualize recondite spaces of the brain, in all its angles. By using the endoscope in this operation, the final scar is much smaller than in conventional operations. It is performed through an incision of only five or six centimeters or using a cranial perforation of twelve to fourteen millimeters. However, there are risks such as bleeding into the brain cavities and the risk of closure of the opening made.
Preparation for cranial endoscopy
The main objective is the minimum invasiveness, since the endoscope can be used to access hidden areas of the central nervous system with minimal or no damage to other structures and therefore avoiding the sequelae of injury to these structures.
Care after the operation
It is a surgery with a good postoperative period compared to traditional surgery. However, depending on the degree of difficulty or the spread of tumors, the surgery can be long and therefore it is important that it is carried out by a specialist in neurosurgery with experience in the field of minimally invasive surgery and with the appropriate instruments for its realization. During the first 3 days absolute rest is usually maintained and medication prescribed by the specialist is taken. As for the results, wound healing is faster, tissue retraction is less and the aesthetic results are better.
Alternatives to this treatment
Cerebral endoscopy is one of the most advanced surgeries at present. It is one of the techniques used within the interventions called minimally invasive surgery. Another alternative technique to this treatment would be craniotomy. There are several advantages over this surgery, among them, the risk of injury is lower because the precision is greater. In addition, there is less bleeding and less aggression to the different structures, so the patient’s recovery is much faster.