Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2023:135:5-11.
doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-36084-8_2.

Surgeon's Eyes on the Relevant Surgical Target

Oreste de Divitiis  1 , Elena d'Avella  2 , Gianluca Lorenzo Fabozzi  2 , Luigi Maria Cavallo  2 , Domenico Solari  2
Affiliations

Surgeon's Eyes on the Relevant Surgical Target

Oreste de Divitiis et al. Acta Neurochir Suppl. 2023.

Abstract

The resolution of the naked eye has been a challenge for the neurosurgical endeavor since the very first attempts of cranial surgery, and advances have been achieved over the centuries, driven by a synergism between the application of emerging technology into the surgical environment and the expansion of the capabilities of neurosurgery. The understanding of the principles of the optical properties of lenses by Abbè (1840-1905) led to the introduction of loupes in the surgical practice, increasing the visual performance during macroscopic procedures. Modern neurosurgery began with the possibility of illumination and magnification of the surgical field as provided by the microscope. Pioneering contributions from Donaghy and Yasargil opened the way to the era of minimalism with reduction of operative corridors and surgical trauma through the adoption of the microsurgical technique. Almost at the same time, engineering mirabilia of Hopkins in terms of optics and lenses allowed for introduction of rigid and flexible endoscopes as a viable tool in neurosurgery. Nowadays, neurosurgeons are aware of and confident using effective and modern tools of visualization in their armamentarium. Herein we present a cogent review of the evolution of visualization tools in neurosurgery, with a special glimpse into the current development and future achievements.

Keywords: Endoscope; Exoscope; Illumination; Loupes; Magnification; Microscope.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Liu CY, Spicer M, Apuzzo ML. The genesis of neurosurgery and the evolution of the neurosurgical operative environment: Part II--concepts for future development, 2003 and beyond. Neurosurgery. 2003;52:20–33. https://doi.org/10.1097/00006123-200301000-00002 ; discussion 33–25. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Yaşargil MG, Krayenbühl H. The use of the binocular microscope in neurosurgery. Bibl Ophthalmol. 1970;81:62–5. - PubMed
    1. Cappabianca P, Zada G. “IDEAL”, the operating microscope, and the parachute. Acta Neurochir. 2018;160:367–8. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-017-3425-4 . - DOI - PubMed
    1. Muskens IS, Diederen SJH, Senders JT, Zamanipoor Najafabadi AH, van Furth WR, May AM, Smith TR, Bredenoord AL, Broekman MLD. Innovation in neurosurgery: less than IDEAL? A systematic review. Acta Neurochir. 2017;159:1957–66. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-017-3280-3 . - DOI - PubMed
    1. Yasargil M. Microsurgical anatomy of the basal cistern and vessels of the brain, diagnostic studies, general operative techniques and pathological considerations of the intracranial aneurysms. In: Yasargil M, editor. Microsurgery, vol. 1. Stuttgart: Thieme; 1984.