Optimizing visualization during lateral skull base surgery with the KINEVO 900 microscope

During lateral skull base surgery, close collaboration between the neurotology and neurosurgical teams is essential to the success of the surgical procedure. In our experience at The Ottawa Hospital Skull Base Program, the ZEISS KINEVO 900 enables the neurotology and neurosurgical teams to optimally orient themselves in the three-dimensional surgical field. This facilitates the surgical teams to alternate their work in the surgical field and to support each of the surgeons in their respective disciplines.

Various case presentations of acoustic neuroma surgeries showcase the necessity of optimal illumination and visualization in constricted, deep surgical fields during neurotologic / lateral skull base surgery. These examples give insight into the surgical approach, improved visualization, and highlight the advantages of robotic functions during the key elements of the surgical procedures.

When working in constricted surgical fields typical of neurotologic / lateral skull base surgery, surgical flow is optimized by the robotic functions of the ZEISS KINEVO 900. For example, the system can automatically move to a previously saved position without losing the visual focus. This is especially useful with visualization required in multiple angles typical of radical mastoidectomies and translabyrinthine approaches to the cerebellopontine angle. Critical structures can be optimally visualized by locking the focus and being able to move around these structures to improve visualization.

In summary, the ZEISS KINEVO 900 provides optimal visualization for neurotologic surgery and facilitates the intraoperative multidisciplinary collaboration necessary for optimal outcomes with lateral skull base surgical procedures.