Endoscopic and stereotactic neurosurgery.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Review of the anesthetic considerations for neuroendoscopy and stereotactic procedures. RECENT FINDINGS Minimally invasive procedures are increasingly applied in novel ways in the diagnosis and treatment of neurological pathologies. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy, endoscopic shunt revisions and drainage of intraventricular hematoma using a neuroendoscope have become routine neurosurgical procedures. Stereotaxis has expanded its scope from simple brain biopsy to functional neurosurgery and psychiatry. While these procedures are 'minimally invasive', perioperative critical events may still occur. SUMMARY Vigilance in preoperative assessment and intraoperative monitoring is essential in minimizing perioperative morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing neuroendoscopic and stereotactic procedures.