Abstract
We have already reported the endoscopic percutaneous observation and laser surgery in the subarachnold space and have shown the possibility that this type of endoscope could be a useful diagnostic and therapeutic tool. However, manageability of the tip of the endoscope was so poor that we felt it difficult to move the tip to a right place.
This time, we used an endoscope with bending ability of the tip and examined if this new function could improve the manageability of the endoscope. The endoscope (outer diameter 1.7mm) Includes 3000 image fibers, light guide and a lumen for a optical fiber for laser transmission and the tip can be bend by 20 degrees in two directions. We inserted this endoscope percutaneously via 13G epidural needle to an anesthetized goat and it was demonstrated that the bending ability of the tip considerably improved the area of observation and made it much easier to aim at for laser irradiation. We could cut a nerve root by laser irradiation (Xe-Cl eximer laser), carefully controlling the site of irradiation using this function. We conclude that the bending ability of the tip is important for the development of the spinal laser endoscope.
