Frugal Malleable Microdissectors and Arachnoid Knives for Microneurosurgery.

Abstract

Similar to most of the other medical and surgical fields, neurosurgery has changed drastically in recent decades, especially in instrumentation and equipment. Safety, scope of treating initially considered nontreatable neurosurgical conditions, and prognosis of most neurosurgical procedures have improved significantly. Newer instruments and equipments are being introduced exponentially, leading to tremendous cost escalation of neurosurgical treatment. However, equitable distribution of neurosurgical services in society is far from reality. We need to look back and learn from our teachers and forefathers of neurosurgery their innovative ways to accomplish difficult procedures without advanced tools and techniques. Microneurosurgery is considered a highly skilled technique, and instruments used for it are delicate, precise, and costlier than similar instruments for macroneurosurgery. Frugal innovative techniques and tools are presented for making stainless steel wire and plate microdissectors that are effective for microneurosurgical procedures and can be helpful for neurosurgeons working in resource-poor settings.