Application of new electrosurgical devices and probes in endoscopic neurosurgery

Complex demands and new indications in neurosurgery have led to the need fo r new electrosurgical generators (ESUs). For the first time, newly develope d, automatically controlled ESUs make it possible to use extremely small an d flexible instruments safely and to achieve reproducible microcuts and mic rocoagulations. These specifications make them suitable for neuroendoscopic interventions. In a series of more than one hundred patients with differen t intracranial and intraspinal pathologies the new electrosurgical devices and probes were used not only for coagulation but also for cutting. The mai n indications were endoscopic ventriculo-cisternostomy, ventriculo-cystosto my, and membranectomy. The electrosurgical generators as well as the bipola r microcoagulation and -cutting probes proved to be safe and effective for neuroendoscopic interventions.