title: Minimally invasive neurosurgery by means of ultrathin endoscopes.
abstract: The term "minimally invasive neurosurgery" (MIN) is defined and the present indications for MIN are described. They include endoscopic stereotactic interventions, endoscopic evacuations of chronic subdural haematomas and intracerebral mass-haemorrhages, endoscopic spinal and ventriculoscopic procedures. The advantages compared to conventional diagnostic and therapeutic neurosurgical approaches consist of less operative risk and reduced tissue-traumatization. Endoscopy makes interventions under (real-time) conditions possible. The operative stress for the patient is minimized.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Philipps-University Marburg, Federal Republic of Germany.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hellwig
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Bauer
mesh_terms: D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000601:surgery*; D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts / Q000295:instrumentation; D002908:Chronic Disease; D019723:Endoscopes; D004867:Equipment Design; D006408:Hematoma, Subdural / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D013595:Syringomyelia / Q000601:surgery*; D014696:Ventriculostomy / Q000295:instrumentation*