Neuroendoscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure in Singapore that uses an endoscope and other relevant surgical tools to diagnose and treat neurological conditions, such as pituitary tumours. The camera and light on an endoscope allow your neurosurgeon to visualise the condition of a specific target area without requiring large incisions. An endoscope also helps manoeuvre regions of the brain that might otherwise be challenging to reach through traditional surgical means.
Depending on the exact area of investigation, an endoscope can be navigated from two locations:
During a neuroendoscopy, patients are placed under general anaesthesia, ensuring a pain-free and comfortable surgery. Next, an endoscope is inserted through the nose or crown of the head.
During a neuroendoscopy, your neurosurgeon will be provided real-time visuals of the brain or spinal cord, subsequently allowing the assessment of any irregularities and abnormalities that are causing symptom presentations. A neuroendoscopy may also be used to treat certain conditions with extreme precision. The objective of the procedure will be discussed beforehand.
A neuroendoscopy can aid in diagnosing and treating an array of neurological conditions. A neuroendoscopy may be recommended for:
Fundamentally, a neuroendoscopy allows your neurosurgeon to identify a neurological condition, prevent its progression, and possibly treat it within a single procedure. It is a gold standard mode of intervention for various neurological conditions.
The recovery of a patient post-surgery is relative to the brain condition and the underlying cause of symptom presentation. If signs of complications are present, your neurosurgeon will appropriately manage these. You will be educated on wound-care manners to prevent infections and may even be prescribed a cycle of antibiotics as a preventative measure.
Neuroendoscopy has brought relief to many patients with an improved quality of life. Under regimented after-care and good lifestyle practices, patients have been empowered with improved physical and cognitive performance.
Neuroendoscopies are usually a one-off procedure; however, certain conditions may require multiple procedures. Examples include if symptoms persist, if there is a cancer recurrence, or if intervention for the identified condition was not possible during the first neuroendoscopy procedure (occurs when further investigation is required). The multiple possibilities will be discussed before your surgery.
In most cases, you will be on the path to recovery after a neuroendoscopy. You will be monitored post-operation to ensure the stability of vital signs and improvement of neurological functions through a series of neurological exams, such as a nerve conduction velocity (NCV) test.
After your discharge from the hospital (3-7 days) post-surgery, you will be requested to visit our clinic within a week or two for a follow-up. You will also be asked to visit us for a routine check-up to monitor your general well-being. If you have suffered from neurological deficiencies pre-surgery, you may also be assigned a physical therapist to assess recovery.
The recovery time for neuroendoscopy varies depending on several factors, including the nature of the procedure, individual health, and the extent of the neurological condition being treated. Generally, you can expect a quicker recovery compared to open surgery. The surgical wound itself should heal within a week. However, recovery from your identified neurological condition could take longer. You will be briefed accordingly during the consultation to gauge a feasible expectation.
As with every surgical procedure, there are some risks, such as haemorrhage, postoperative seizures, delay in regaining consciousness, and infections. These are relatively rare. If any of these complications occur, an experienced neurosurgeon will efficiently manage them.
