Endoscopic versus open surgical approaches for colloid cyst of the third ventricle

Abstract

Colloid cysts are benign lesions of the anterior part of the third ventricle. Surgery is the main line of treatment. Endoscopic treatment gained wide acceptance among neurosurgeons. However, open microsurgical approaches still recommended by many surgeons. Each approach had its own advantages and drawbacks. The current study designed to explore the outcome of endoscopic versus open colloid cystectomy for the colloid cyst of the third ventricle. This is a retrospective study of patients who submitted to third ventricle colloid cystectomy during a duration of 10 years. A total number of 41 patients were included (20 managed by endoscopic approach and 21 by open surgery). Files were reviewed for preoperative (clinical examination and radiological investigations), operative (e.g, operative time, the size of the cyst and additional interventions) and postoperative outcome. Both approaches were comparable regarding demographics, preoperative, operative and postoperative data, except significant reduction of operative time and total duration of hospital stay among endoscopy than open group (127.95±18.32, 5.30±1.69 vs 178.33±20.51 and 8.95±1.62 respectively). The recurrence was reported among 3 patients (7.3%) (2 in the endoscopy and 1 in the open group). Among 90.0% of endoscopy group, their neurological condition was improved compared to 95.2% of open group.