Neurosurgeons develop new technologies to make surgery very complex brain -
In a step procedure, UC health system neurosurgeons San Diego have integrated imaging, 3D computer simulation by advanced and next generation surgical tools to perform a very complex brain surgery through a small incision to remove deep tumors. This is the first time this complex choreography technologies were brought together in an operating room in California.
"tumors located at the skull base are particularly difficult to treat because of the location of delicate anatomical structures and critical blood vessels," said neurosurgeon Clark C. Chen, MD, PhD, of the UC San Diego health system. "the conventional approach to excise these tumors involves long incisions and removal of a large piece of skull. This new minimally invasive approach is much less radical. it decreases the risk of surgery and shortens the patient's hospital stay. "
"An essential part of this surgery is to identify the nerve fibers in the brain, the connections that allow the brain to perform its essential functions. Orientation of these fibers determines the trajectory of the tumor," he said Chen, academic Affairs Vice President for neurosurgery division at UC San Diego School of Medicine. "We viewed these fibers with imaging restriction spectrum, a proprietary technology developed at UC San Diego. Color-coded visualization of routes allows us to trace the surest way to the tumor."
After planning the surgery, 2-inch incision was made near the root of the patient's hair, followed by a big fourth hole in the skull. The surgery was performed through a thin spacer similar to a tube which created a narrow path of the tumor. Aided by an arm and high-resolution robotic cameras, the team was able to safely remove two tumors within millimeter accuracy.
"What we see is a new wave of advances in minimally invasive surgery for patients with brain cancer," said Bob Carter, MD, PhD, professor and chief of neurosurgery, UC San Diego School of Medicine. "These minimally invasive approaches allow smaller incisions and shorter recovery. In this case, the patient was able to go home the day after the successful removal of many brain tumors. "
Health System UC San Diego is an internationally recognized leader in minimally invasive neurosurgery. Chen a pioneer in tractography-guided procedures and an expert in endoscopic surgery. He was among the first surgeons in the United States to perform laser and gene therapy guided magnetic resonance imaging to treat brain cancers such as glioblastoma.
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