Abstract

Ultrasonic aspirators are commonly used for volume reduction of neurosurgical tumours. Bleeding occurs occasionally during ultrasonic debulking since ultrasonic aspirators do not coagulate affected vessels. Usually bipolar forceps are used for haemostasis, however requiring a change of instrumentation by the surgeon. Thulium laser emitting at a wavelength of 1940 nm in a strong water absorption band are suitable for tissue and blood vessel coagulation with subsequent haemostasis. Therefore, such laser system was combined with an ultrasonic aspirator by adapting the light transmitting multimode fiber tip to the distal tip of the ultrasonic aspirator.

The thulium laser showed very good haemostasis during tumour debulking. Instrumental changes to bipolar forceps were reduced, surgeon's feedbacks were convincingly positive.

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