Abstract
A new multifunctional articulated instrument holder for use in minimally invasive
navigated neurosurgery is presented. The instrument holder is secured to the Mayfield
clamp, yielding permanent fixation and guidance of instruments. Thus, surgical conditions
with the advantages of both conventional and frameless stereotaxic neurosurgery are
created without sacrificing the relevant advantages of both methods. Accuracy testing
of the instrument holder in combination with the neuronavigation system EasyGuide
Neuro demonstrated an error of 0.0 to 2.4 (mean 1.6) mm. In clinical testing, the
device has been used for guided catheter insertions, pointer fixation for continuous
intraoperative guidance and trajectory planning, navigated endoscopic procedures,
and navigated intracerebral biopsies in totally 53 patients.
Key words
Neuronavigation - Computer assisted surgery - Image guided surgery - Stereotaxic neurosurgery
- Frameless stereotaxy - Minimally invasive techniques
