Technical and Clinical Evolution of Modern Neuroendoscopy

Abstract

Endoscopy plays an important part in the present minimally invasive neurosurgery. The concept, the indications and the technical development have a long history. We can distinguish an early period at the end of 19th and beginning of 20th century and an advanced period toward the end of the 20th century. Each of these periods can be further divided in a time of an obvious medical problem and first idea of possible solution, further in the next step a time of intensive technical improvements and finally the clinal application of endoscopes during surgical interventions. This historical development of endoscopy is true for all branches of surgical application. In this chapter it will described in the field of neurosurgery.