Applicant:
Dr. Hans Christoph Ludwig, Dr. Thorsten Knobloch, Prof. Dr. med. Veit Rohde, Neurochirurgische Klinik der Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, Dr. Heinrich-Otto Teichmann, LISA laser products und Dr. Kevin Rostasy, Department of Paediatrics, Medical University Innsbruck, Prof. Dr. med. Andreas Gross, Asklepios Klinik Barmbek, Germany

Abstract:
Preterm infants have a high incidence of posthemorrhagic or postinfectious hydrocephalus often coincident with ventricular or arachnoic cysts and the risk of entrapment of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). In these cases fenestrations and creating windows within separating membranes by neuroendoscopy is the purpose of neurosurgical therapy. Although Nd:YAG- and Diode-lasers have been already used in neuroendoscopy, surgeons avoid to use high energy lasers in proximity to vital structures depending on the occurrence of side effects. We have recently developed and used a diode pumped solid state (DPSS) laser emitting light at a wavelength of 2.0 micron, which can be delivered through silica fibres. Due to the strong absorption of the laser radiation in water no side effects occur.