Endoscopic Surgery

During endoscopic surgery, the neurosurgeon uses an endoscope, which is a thin tube with a tiny video camera and bright light on the end. They insert the endoscope through a small incision or through the nose.

• Some endoscopes have a channel through which they can pass tiny surgical instruments. The surgeon uses the instruments while viewing the tumor on a monitor.
• Other types of endoscopes allow the surgeon to see what is happening while they use other surgical tools.
• Some endoscopes have angles on the camera, so surgeons can get a better view that would otherwise require a bigger incision.

With endoscopic surgery, your neurosurgeon could remove a brain tumor through the nose (endonasal), an eye socket (transorbital) or a small opening in the skull.