We have developed a new educational approach to microsurgery in which a trainee and supervisor can cooperate with "4 hands" using the exoscope. We evaluated 4-hands surgery for intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) using the exoscope to validate the educational value and ergonomic advantages of this method. Thirty consecutive patients who underwent surgery for ICH using the exoscope between December 2018 and May 2020 were studied retrospectively. All operations were performed by a team comprising a supervisor (assistant) and a trainee (main operator). The assistant set the visual axis of the exoscope, and adjusted focus and magnification as a scopist. After setting the ORBEYE, the supervisor helped retract the brain and withdraw and irrigate the hematoma using suction tubes or brain retractors. Moreover, the trainee evacuated the hematoma with a suction tube and coagulated using bipolar forceps. Patient background and results of treatment were evaluated. Intraoperative postures of the operators were observed, and schemas compared with the use of a conventional microscope were developed. All microsurgical procedures were accomplished by a trainee with a supervisor using only the exoscope. During the surgery, the surgeons could work in a comfortable posture, and the supervisor and trainee could cooperate in microsurgical procedures using their four hands. The results of the present case series concerning evacuation of ICH were not inferior to those described in previous reports. To increase opportunities for education in microsurgery, 4-hands surgery for ICH using the exoscope appears feasible and safe and offered excellent educational value and ergonomic advantages.
Keywords: Craniotomy; ORBEYE; evacuation; exoscope; intracranial hemorrhage.
Copyright: © 2021 Asian Journal of Neurosurgery.