Background: Endoscopic surgery has emerged in recent years as an alternative to conventional microsurgical approaches for removal of intraventricular tumors. Endoports have enhanced tumor access and visualization with a significant reduction in brain retraction.
Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of endoport-assisted endoscopic technique for the removal of tumors from the lateral ventricle.
Methods: The surgical technique, complications, and postoperative clinical outcomes were analyzed with a review of the literature.
Results: Tumors were primarily located in one lateral ventricular cavity in all 26 patients, and extension to the foramen Monro and the anterior third ventricle was observed in seven and five patients, respectively. Except for three patients with small colloid cysts, all other tumors were larger than 2.5 cm. A gross total resection was performed in 18 (69%), subtotal in five (19%), and partial removal in three (11.5%) patients. Transient postoperative complications were observed in eight patients. Two patients required postoperative CSF shunting for symptomatic hydrocephalus. All patients improved on KPS scoring at a mean follow-up of 4.6 months.
Conclusions: Endoport-assisted endoscopic technique is a safe, simple, and minimally invasive method to remove intraventricular tumors. Excellent outcomes comparable to other surgical approaches can be achieved with acceptable complications.
Keywords: Deep-brain tumors; endoport-assisted; intraventricular; neuroendoscopy.