Minim Invas Neurosur
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Minim Invas Neurosur · Dec 1999
Comparative StudyPostoperative headache after the lateral suboccipital approach: craniotomy versus craniectomy.
The lateral suboccipital approach to the cerebellopontine angle is typically performed as a small craniectomy. Incisional pain and headache following cerebellopontine angle surgery have been reported. Adherence of the cervical muscles to the dura, which is richly innervated, with consequent traction has been suggested to be responsible for postoperative headache. ⋯ All patients were subject to a standardized telephone interview three months and one year after surgery. Comparing the craniotomy group to the craniectomy group no difference was observed regarding age, sex, tumor size and duration of operation. 3 months as well as 12 months postoperatively headache was significantly (p < 0.05) less frequent in the craniotomy group as compared to the craniectomy group. In conclusion, an osteoplastic craniotomy significantly reduces postoperative headache and is therefore highly recommended.
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Minim Invas Neurosur · Dec 1999
Comparison of a new automatically controlled electrocoagulator (Valleylab NS 2000-INSTANT RESPONSE technology) with a high-frequency coagulator.
Bipolar electrocoagulation is one of the most important procedures in modern neurosurgery. However, there are still many practical problems, especially tissue adherence to the tips of the coagulating forceps and the difficulty removing carbonized clots from the tips. Both make the process less accurate and more time-consuming. ⋯ Coagulation with Erbotom ICC 350 resulted in tissue sticking to the tips of the forceps in all cases, regardless of the power chosen. With the new electrocoagulator, tissue adherence to the forceps tips was not seen. With the new system, effective coagulation was also achieved at comparably lower power settings.