A stainless steel sheath for endoscopic surgery and its application in surgical evacuation of putaminal haemorrhage

A stainless steel tube was used as an endoscope sheath in combination with a working channel endoscope to evacuate hypertensive putaminal intracerebral haematoma (ICH). A frontal entry point ipsilateral to the haematoma was selected for insertion of the sheath. From January to June 2004, seven patients with putaminal ICH underwent endoscopic surgery in our hospital. There were no surgical complications. Haematoma evacuation rates were greater than 90% (median of 93%). Six patients (87%) regained consciousness within one week. Six patients, including four who had no residual disability and two who had moderate disability, were able to function independently. One patient remained in a persistent vegetative state at clinical follow-up after 6 months. Use of a stainless steel endoscopic sheath combined with working channel endoscopy via a frontal approach facilitates evacuation of putaminal ICH.