UPMC: Minimally Invasive Brain Surgery

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NeuroendoportSM Brain Surgery

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Frequently Asked Questions About Neuroendoport Surgery

With Neuroendoport surgery, will I still require a craniotomy?

Using the Neuroendoport, a small piece of bone needs to be removed from the skull in order to open the lining of the brain to access your tumor. However, this piece of bone is smaller than the usual piece that would be required for your tumor if using a traditional approach. More importantly, the opening in the lining of the brain is smaller than for standard brain surgery. The most significant benefit of this approach is that the surgeon is able to minimize trauma to surrounding brain tissue while the tumor is being removed.

Can Neuroendoport surgery be combined with open surgery?

Yes, in certain cases, the Neuroendoport approach is used to remove the deep part of a brain tumor, and then a standard approach (using either an operating microscope or loupes for visualization) is used to complete the tumor removal. We have found that this approach allows the brain to be fully relaxed prior to exposure of the rest of the brain, which minimizes injury to the cortex (the outermost layer of brain tissue).

With Neuroendoport surgery, will I have a scar?

Yes, a small incision is required in the scalp. The average size of the incision for this approach is one and a half inches, but varies depending on the location of the tumor.

Contact Us

How can we help you?

Phone Numbers:

1-877-986-9862 (within the U.S.)
For international calls: 01-412-567-7313

William Byrd

Patient Stories:

Meet William Byrd

This 41-year-old veteran found immediate relief—and a new chance at life—with Neuroendoport surgery.

Read William's Story »

Meet the Surgeons

Meet the Surgeons:

Our Surgical Team

Our neurosurgeons are among the most experienced in the world in performing minimally invasive brain surgery.

Read about the members of our surgical team »