Application of rigid endoscope to the microsurgery of anterior circulation cerebral aneurysms

Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of endoscope during anterior circulation cerebral aneurysm surgery. Methods: From June 2004 to June 2005, endoscope was applied in 83 aneurysms of anterior circulation cerebral aneurysm surgeries. Results: There was no mortality in our series and no new neurological deficits occurred after surgery. One aneurysm ruptured during the microsurgical dissection, which was not related to endoscope manipulation. Endoscope provided new information in 28 aneurysms. The clips were re-adjusted in 10 cases after endoscopic examination. Conclusion: Endoscope is useful during anterior circulation cerebral aneurysm surgery. It can provide valuable information which is not available from microscope, it is useful both before and after clipping. Most importantly, it provides information regarding the completeness of neck obliteration and the preservation of important perforators.