World Neurosurg
-
No clear consensus yet defines the endpoints for operative learning curves in the transition to minimally invasive endoscopic techniques. This retrospective review of our first 202 patients who underwent endoscopic pituitary resection examines the statistical learning curve related to operative times-a measure of our surgical team's efficiency and complication rate, a reflection of surgical skill and maturity. ⋯ Our learning curve-defined endpoints for 2 measures, operative time and complication rates, support improved outcomes for reduced CSF leaks, the most common complication, with increasing operative experience. We will continue to examine the implications related to safety, efficacy, and the need for subspecialization in this minimally invasive surgery.
-
External ventricular drainage (EVD) combined with intraventricular fibrinolysis (IVF) is a commonly accepted surgical approach for some cases of hypertensive intraventricular hemorrhage (HIVH). We aimed to investigate the association between preoperative factors and outcome in patients with HIVH treated by EVD plus IVF. ⋯ Fourth ventricle hematoma, third ventricle hematoma, high blood neuron specific enolase value, low Glasgow Coma Scale score, and old age were risk factors for poor outcome in HIVH treated with EVD plus IVF. EVD was not suitable, particularly in patients with brainstem compression caused by fourth ventricle hemorrhage, regardless of use of IVF.
-
The primary treatment strategy for chronic atlantoaxial rotatory fixation (chro-AARF) is traction followed by bracing or application of a halo device. However, to complete these conservative therapies, patient cooperation is mandatory. If conservative therapy fails, surgery is required for reduction and prevention of recurrence. It has been considered that surgery for atlantoaxial rotatory fixation necessitates solid bony fusion. However, once bony fusion is achieved, loss of range of motion is problematic. Here, we report a patient with chro-AARF who was successfully treated with temporary internal fixation using a C1 lateral mass screw and C2 pedicle screw (Goel-Harms technique) without any grafting of bone or use of bone substitute materials. ⋯ When conservative therapy cannot be continued, Goel-Harms surgery as a temporary internal fixator without bone grafting might be a suitable alternative for selected patients with chro-AARF.
-
To date, no controlled studies on the treatment of carotid artery dissection (CAD) have been reported. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the technical feasibility and clinical efficacy of stent-supported angioplasty (SSA) as primary treatment for acute stroke due to CAD. ⋯ Our results provide evidence that SSA is a feasible and effective strategy as primary treatment for steno-occlusive CAD patients with significant hypoperfusion or a large penumbra.
-
The aim of this research was to compare the functional outcome and safety between supraorbital keyhole approach (SKA) and pterional keyhole approach (PKA) for clipping intracranial aneurysms. ⋯ Our research demonstrates that both SKA and PKA are safe and effective for most anterior circulation aneurysms and parts of posterior circulation aneurysms. The SKA exposures aneurysm better on deep and sagittal directions and is more suitable for clipping aneurysms by the contralateral approach due to the short distance. The PKA has a good exposure on the neck of aneurysm with dorsal direction of parent artery and can be used to evacuate hematoma in the temporal lobe when clipping the aneurysm. Integrating multimodal 3-dimensional images could help neurosurgeon in selecting an appropriate and effective approach.