The Evolution of Microscopic Neurosurgery in China
In 1972, Du Ziwei, a Japanese overseas Chinese philanthropist, donated one of the earliest neurosurgical microscopes and related surgical instruments, including bipolar coagulation and aneurysm clips, to the Neurosurgery Department of Suzhou Medical College Affiliated Hospital (now Suzhou University Affiliated Early Hospital Neurosurgery). Upon his return to China, Du Ziwei pioneered microscopic neurosurgery in the country, sparking a wave of interest in the introduction, learning, and application of surgical microscopes in major neurosurgical centers. This marked the beginning of microscopic neurosurgery in China. Subsequently, the Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute of Optoelectronics Technology took up the banner of manufacturing domestically-produced Neurosurgery microscopes, and Chengdu CORDER emerged, supplying thousands of surgical microscopes across the nation.
The use of neurosurgical microscopes has significantly improved the effectiveness of microscopic neurosurgery. With magnification ranging from 6 to 10 times, procedures that were not possible to perform with the naked eye can now be done safely. For example, transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary tumors can be carried out while ensuring the preservation of the normal pituitary gland. Additionally, procedures that were previously challenging can now be executed with greater precision, such as intramedullary spinal cord surgery and brainstem nerve surgeries. Prior to the introduction of neurosurgery microscopes, the mortality rate for brain aneurysm surgery was 10.7%. However, with the adoption of microscope-assisted surgeries in 1978, the mortality rate dropped to 3.2%. Similarly, the mortality rate for arteriovenous malformation surgeries decreased from 6.2% to 1.6% after the utilization of neurosurgery microscopes in 1984. Microscopic neurosurgery also enabled less invasive approaches, allowing pituitary tumor removal through transnasal endoscopic procedures, reducing the mortality rate from 4.7% associated with traditional craniotomy to 0.9%.
The achievements made possible by the introduction of neurosurgical microscopes are unattainable through traditional microscopic procedures alone. These microscopes have become an indispensable and irreplaceable surgical device for modern neurosurgery. The ability to achieve clearer visualizations and operate with greater precision has revolutionized the field, enabling surgeons to perform intricate procedures that were once deemed impossible. The pioneering work of Du Ziwei and subsequent development of domestically-produced microscopes have paved the way for the advancement of microscopic neurosurgery in China.
The donation of neurosurgical microscopes in 1972 by Du Ziwei and subsequent efforts to manufacture domestically-produced microscopes have propelled the growth of microscopic neurosurgery in China. The use of surgical microscopes has proven instrumental in achieving better surgical outcomes with reduced mortality rates. By enhancing visualization and enabling precise manipulation, these microscopes have become an integral part of modern neurosurgery. With ongoing advancements in microscope technology, the future holds even more promising possibilities for further optimizing surgical interventions in the field of neurosurgery.
Post time: Jul-19-2023
