Operative Adjuncts in Pediatric Brain Tumor Surgery with a Focus on Suprasellar Tumors.

Abstract

The primary objective of surgery for brain tumor resection has always been maximizing safe resection while minimizing the risk to normal brain tissue. Technological advances applied in the operating room help surgeons to achieve this objective. This chapter discusses specific tools and approaches in the operating environment that target safe surgery for brain tumors in children, with a focus on pathologies in the sellar/suprasellar region. Particular focus is given to tools that help with safe patient positioning; intraoperative imaging modalities; and chemical visualization adjuncts. Both static (preoperative images used for neuronavigation) and dynamic (images updated during the procedure) intraoperative imaging modalities are discussed. There is further overview of operative rehearsal and preparation strategies, which are rapidly evolving as virtual reality systems become more commonplace. While the rapid evolution of intraoperative adjuncts in neurosurgery means the status of a given technology as novel is quite transient, this chapter offers a snapshot of the current state of advanced intraoperative tools for pediatric brain tumor surgery.