A set of coaxial microneurosurgical instruments

OBJECTIVE: In an effort to lessen surgical trauma, neurosurgeons are develo ping more contained approaches requiring minimal or no brain retraction. Th e mobility of traditional microsurgical tools within such narrow corridors is severely restricted. A substantial portion of the surgical field may be obscured by the relatively large size of these instruments. To overcome som e of these problems, the author has designed a set of new, low-profile, coa xial microinstruments. DESCRIPTION OF INSTRUMENTATION: The coaxial shaft of these instruments is o btained by coupling a tube and a rod, rotating in opposite directions along their major axis. The rotational movement is delivered by compressing and releasing a spying-loaded, bayonet-shaped handle. The tips are obtained by flanging the two elements of the shaft, The initial set includes microsciss ors and microforceps, as well as tumor-grasping forceps. The two elements o f the shaft can be disengaged easily by releasing a catch at the end of the shaft and disassembled for cleaning and basic maintenance purposes. DISCUSSION: The design of the present set of instruments combines a low-pro file coaxial shaft with well-established ergonomic features, such as a penc il grip handle and an angled bayonet. CONCLUSION: The use of the least possible number of moving components enhan ces the reliability of these tools. The different profiles and angles of th e tips partially compensate for the absence of a rotatable shaft, a potenti al shortcoming of these instruments.