Abstract
Techniques of less invasive neurosurgery have recently been reported. We eliminated some peri-operative procedures such as wound drainage, conventional angiography and shaving of hair to reduce patients' physical and psychological invasion and evaluated the merits of our less invasive method.
From April 2001 through December 2004, 66 patients underwent surgery for asymptomatic unruptured intracranial aneurysms. Patients were assigned to 3 groups: Group A with elimination of postoperative wound drainage comprised 13 cases, Group B with elimination of conventional angiography in addition to elimination of drainage comprised 30 cases, and Group C with elimination of scalp shaving comprised 23 cases. As we minimized invasive procedures, patients experienced less stress, had shorter hospital stays and had lower hospitalization costs. Elimination of conventional angiography reduced complication rates and elimination of wound drainage and scalp shaving reduced psychological invasions related to changes in appearance.
The objective of less invasive techniques is primarily to protect brain functions, but techniques to reduce peri-operative physical and psychological invasion of patients are also important. Our less invasive procedures help patients return to their normal life more rapidly and improve patient's satisfaction and quality of life.
