Novel multipurpose bipolar instrument for endoscopic neurosurgery.
OBJECTIVE
Hemorrhage control in endoscopic neurosurgery is critical because of the lack of suitable instruments for coagulation. One reason for this problem is that miniaturization of the instruments is still a technical problem. In this article, we present a solution: the use of bipolar microforceps with a small diameter of 1.5 mm.


METHODS
With the use of modern synthetic and metallic materials, the construction of the bipolar microforceps was designed without the use of mechanical joints. All movable elements are integrated within the instrument shaft. This design provides optimal visibility of the operating field because the sheath has a diameter of only 1.5 mm along its entire length. Therefore, this instrument is compatible with most working channels of neuroendoscopes.


RESULTS
The new, joint-free design of the forceps and the electric insulation of the branches were the technical innovations that led to the development of this novel, multipurpose instrument.


CONCLUSIONS
This new instrument may enhance endoscopic resection and shrinkage of cystic lesions and may offer new possibilities in endoscopic tumor resection and the treatment of hemorrhage.
Department of Neurosurgery, Philipps University Marburg, Germany. riegel@med.uni-marburg.de
Thomas
T
Riegel
Dirk
D
Freudenstein
Olaf
O
Alberti
Frank
F
Duffner
Dieter
D
Hellwig
Volker
V
Bartel
Helmut
H
Bertalanffy
D000328:Adult; D002528:Cerebellar Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D002551:Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D003560:Cysts / Q000601:surgery; D004598:Electrosurgery / Q000295:instrumentation*; D019723:Endoscopes; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006488:Hemostasis, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008527:Medulloblastoma / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000295:instrumentation*; D009493:Neurosurgery / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012086:Reoperation; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D020542:Third Ventricle / Q000601:surgery; D014696:Ventriculostomy / Q000295:instrumentation