Clinical evaluation of minimally invasive neurosurgery

Objective To evaluate the utility of minimally invasive neurosurgery. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 364 cases of craniotomy and laminectomy using minimally invasive neurosurgery. In these cases, 177 were operated with frameless stereotaxy, 123 by keyhole approach, 64 with combined frameless stereotaxy and keyhole approach. Three hundred and fifty craniotomies were performed for 158 cases of brain tumor including 51 meningiomas, 45 gliomas, 12 pituitary tumors ( transsphenoidal surgery in 5 cases), 10 neurinomas, 6 craniopharyngiomas, 5 angioreticulomas, 5 metastatic tumors, 24 other tumors; 108 aneurysms; 53 AVMs; 31 cavernous malformations, and 14 spinal surgeries. Results Lesions and important anatomical structures were accurately localized, and the computer - estimated errors were within 2 mm. Postoperative neurological complications occurred in 22 cases (6. 0% ) , and there was no death in this group. Conclusion Minimally invasive neurosurgery is valuable for patients with lesions in the deep brain, and its locating - accuracy is very important in protecting normal brain tissues. Neuronavigation system has changed the traditional neurosurgical procedures into the minimally invasive neurosurgery.