Neuroendoscopy combined with frameless neuronavigation

Minimal invasive neurosurgery is becoming more and more standard in neurosu rgical procedures. Several types of lesions are now approached endoscopical ly. The surgical planning and intraoperative orientation during endoscopic surgical procedures are sometimes difficult. To solve this problem, a combi nation of the endoscopic procedure with a frameless, armless neuronavigatio n system is used in our service. The combination of the endoscope and the f rameless navigation system was used in tumour surgery, ventriculostomies an d arachnoid cyst operations. All procedures were performed successfully. Th e combination of both systems has proved to be advantageous because of safe surgical planning using the frameless stereotactic technique and the possi bility of real time orientation of the endoscope. This technique is very us eful in removing intraventricular and large brain mass lesions.