Buis D, Buis C, Feller R, Mandl E, Peerdeman S. A basic model for practice of intracranial microsurgery. Surg Neurol. 2009 Feb;71(2):254-256

PMID: 18291462

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Intracranial microsurgical procedures often take place in a deep location, with a limited access space, necessitating the use of long knee-bend instruments and limiting the degree of movement. We devised an easily accessible model that allows the neurosurgical trainee to gain familiarity with intracranial microsurgical techniques.

METHODS: The model consists of a pedestal, on which 2 movable vices are placed. The object to be practiced on can be placed on a working area, or the vices may hold the object. The pedestal can be covered by a box with a centered hole. When using this box, the vices can move together in the vertical plane over a trajectory of 5.5 cm to simulate superficial or deep microsurgical procedures. To simulate several sizes of hypothetical craniotomies, 3 rings can be used to decrease the diameter of centered hole in the box.

RESULTS: Using the model, these techniques were judged to be technically more challenging and difficult to execute through the centered hole.

CONCLUSIONS: Our model can be a useful method to train for basic intracranial microsurgery.
 



Author's contacts: dr.buis@vumc.nl