Syringe Port: A Convenient, Safe, and Cost-Effective Tubular Retractor for Transportal Removal of Deep-Seated Lesions of the Brain

OBJECTIVE: Minimally invasive transportal resection of deep intracranial lesions has become a widely accepted surgical technique. Many disposable, mountable port systems are available in the market for this purpose, like the ViewSite Brain Access System. The objective of this study was to find a cost-effective substitute for these systems. METHODS: Deep-seated brain lesions were treated with a port system made from disposable syringes. The syringe port could be inserted through minicraniotomies placed and planned with navigation. All deep-seated lesions like ventricular tumours, colloid cysts, deep-seated gliomas, and basal ganglia hemorrhages were treated with this syringe port system and evaluated for safety, operative site hematomas, and blood loss. RESULTS: 62 patients were operated on during the study period from January 2015 to July 2017, using this innovative syringe port system for deep-seated lesions of the brain. No operative site hematoma or contusions were seen along the port entry site and tract. CONCLUSIONS: Syringe port is a cost-effective and safe alternative to the costly disposable brain port systems, especially for neurosurgical setups in developing countries for minimally invasive transportal resection of deep brain lesions.