Name:
10.3171/2023.10.FOCVID23116
Description:
10.3171/2023.10.FOCVID23116
Thumbnail URL:
https://cadmoremediastorage.blob.core.windows.net/70e42ff8-7775-4e13-aa48-65698c821377/videoscrubberimages/Scrubber_281.jpg
Duration:
T00H09M14S
Embed URL:
https://stream.cadmore.media/player/70e42ff8-7775-4e13-aa48-65698c821377
Content URL:
https://cadmoreoriginalmedia.blob.core.windows.net/70e42ff8-7775-4e13-aa48-65698c821377/3. 23-116.mp4?sv=2019-02-02&sr=c&sig=s%2Fd6r%2FZiT%2Bqjg3HbqI60H3sFu4uAe528PocHWT1r3dQ%3D&st=2025-10-31T04%3A45%3A18Z&se=2025-10-31T06%3A50%3A18Z&sp=r
Upload Date:
2023-12-01T00:00:00.0000000
Transcript:
Language: EN.
Segment:0 .
[MUSIC PLAYING]
SPEAKER: In this video, we present our experience with exoscopic keyhole surgery. With a series of cases, we will try to demonstrate that the exoscope provides enough light to perform keyhole surgery, and discuss its benefits compared to the operative microscope and endoscope. Developed by Perneczky, among others, keyhole approaches aim to maintain sufficient surgical exposure while minimizing trauma to tissue, including skin, muscle, skull, and brain.
SPEAKER: To visualize an operation through a keyhole, surgeons rely on both the microscope and the endoscope. The microscope has a greater light-to-target distance, and the small size of the keyhole may limit the amount of light reaching the surgical target. This phenomenon impacts multiple aspects of the operation, including surgeon ergonomics as the operating surgeon tries to improve lighting by tilting the microscope through different angles.
SPEAKER: For the endoscope, the light source is placed beyond the keyhole and much closer to the target, and this provides a large amount of light even in deep fields. The cost is a space. Since the endoscope itself is within the surgical corridor, the space that it takes up often restricts the surgical freedom in the keyhole. What about the exoscope? Compared to the microscope, the exoscope has a smaller light to target distance.
SPEAKER: Reducing this distance can, in theory, increase the amount of light that gets through the keyhole. Another benefit is that the entire surgical team shares the same view in three dimensions. In preliminary laboratory testing, the 3D exoscope, with its two-light cone, seemed capable of bringing sufficient lighting through small keyholes. We will demonstrate the feasibility of exoscopic keyhole surgery through four examples.
SPEAKER: All four involve the posterior fossa, where patient positioning added another layer of challenge for visualization and illumination. Our first case is a 58-year-old male with a remote history of nephrectomy for renal cell cancer. He presented to our institution with headaches, altered mental status, and weight loss for two months. Further imaging discovered diffuse metastatic disease and a solitary mass in the pineal region. After a failed endoscopic third ventriculostomy for hydrocephalus, our tumor board recommended tumor resection for symptom control and tissue diagnosis.
SPEAKER: Multiple methods to measure the tentorial angle have been described. We favor the one published by our senior author, in this case, 45.6 degrees. We consider this tentorium steepness favorable for the supracerebellar infratentorial approach. The patient was taken to the OR and a right-sided paramedian supracerebellar infratentorial approach was performed.
SPEAKER: Here, we have two photos of our setup in the OR. Compared to the microscope, a key difference in surgeon economics is noted. With the exoscope, our hands lie below the level of our shoulder. While with the microscope, they are above this level. This later setup leads rapidly to fatigue. After performing the paramedian craniotomy, the dura was opened and the cerebellum was mobilized inferiorly assisted by gravity.
SPEAKER: The thick arachnoid covering the pineal region was incised. Tumor was then resected using microsurgical technique. In this case, the endoscope was used to look for residual tumor. Of note, these tools should not be mutually exclusive, and must be used to complement each other. The rest of the cases were done however, only with the exoscope. The dimensions of our craniotomy were about 2 by 3 centimeters.
SPEAKER: Immediate post-op MRI showed gross-total resection of the tumor. Patient woke up with no new neurological deficits. However, underwent severe respiratory failure in the postoperative period. And after discussion with the family, was transitioned to palliative care. The next case is a 70-year-old female with three-year history of right-sided progressive hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as V2/V3 numbness.
SPEAKER: Her audiogram showed right moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss. The MRI showed a lesion centered in the CPA angle, most likely representing a Koos IV vestibular schwannoma with no hydrocephalus. Patient still had serviceable hearing on the right. So, a right retrosigmoid approach for brainstem decompression and intended subtotal resection was planned. This is our setup in the OR.
SPEAKER: The patient was placed in a lateral decubitus position and a C-shaped retrosigmoid incision was planned. After the craniotomy, the dura opening, and CSF evacuation, the tumor was encountered. Cerebellum was mobilized posteriorly to allow access to the CPA angle. After confirmatory seventh nerve stimulation, the capsule was incised and the tumor was internally debulked. Capsule then was detached from the brainstem.
SPEAKER: The tumor was found to be adherent to the brainstem and residual was left by intention. Post-op, her right V2/V3 numbness was gone, and herein, remained stable with House-Brackmann grade I bilaterally. A watch-and-wait attitude was adopted for the residual tumor with no progression 1 year post-op. Next case is a 65-year-old female with V2/V3 right trigeminal neuralgia, refractory both to Gamma Knife and medication.
SPEAKER: The FIESTA MRI sequence showed a loop of the SCA touching the right trigeminal nerve. A microvascular decompression, through a retrosigmoid craniotomy, was performed. In the video, we can see the trigeminal nerve completely thinned, probably due to chronic compression plus Gamma Knife. Carefully, the nerve was separated from the loop and a Teflon was placed between these two structures.
SPEAKER: Patient remains pain-free 1 year post-op with medication. The last patient is a 60-year-old female with a left petrous meningioma that showed radiographic progression. The patient was asymptomatic. A left retrosigmoid approach was chosen. Her MRI showed the petrous lesion with dural tail representing a probable petrous meningioma. After the craniotomy, dural opening, and CSF evacuation, the tumor was encountered.
SPEAKER: Copious venous bleeding from the tumor was found initially during the resection. The tumor was debulked and detached from the surrounding structures. After initial debulking, the deep dissection started casually from the ninth, 10th, and 11th complex at this entry in the jugular foramen. Seventh nerve is identified and seen anteriorly to the eighth nerve in the labyrinthine artery.
SPEAKER: Sixth cranial nerve is seen deep in the field, entering the Dorello's canal. Note that there is enough light to see this deep structure. Lastly, the 2.5 diameter size of the craniotomy can be appreciated. Immediate post-op image showed gross-total resection of the lesion. Compared with the endoscope, the X-ray scope has a greater light to target distance.
SPEAKER: But as our cases showed, the exoscope brings plenty of light through small keyholes. Whereas the lateral or sitting position can be challenging for the microscope, the exoscope provided great visualization and illumination without ergonomic obstacles for the surgeon. However, the use of an exoscope does involve a significant learning curve. Its position relative to the surgeon, its manipulation, and even the placement of the 3D screens...
SPEAKER: These may not be intuitive to all surgeons. In addition, some users and viewers may get motion sick with the exoscope. A recent review study showed that when using cranial and spinal cases, the exoscope had a similar complication rate compared with the operative microscope. The main reasons to switch from the exoscope to the microscope were poor illumination and 5-ALA use.
SPEAKER: More recently, the exoscopes also now include 5-ALA fluorescence. As for the illumination, our recorded data showed that the exoscope provides enough lighting even through a small keyholes. Analyzing the study with the highest switch rate, we found that 90% of the surgeons switch to the microscope in the first period of the study, and this dropped to 52.5% in the second half.
SPEAKER: In this study, the main reason was the learning curve. The exoscope, again, is just another tool, and as such should be used for the benefit of our patients. Its use requires a learning process and ease of use, which comes with familiarity. In conclusion, the exoscope is a safe alternative to the microscope for keyhole surgery. Compared to the microscope, our experience showed that the exoscope has better ergonomics, is easily manipulated, and engages the whole team better.
SPEAKER: Most importantly, it also brings in enough light to perform safe keyhole surgery. Thank you.
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