The brain port uses a small needle (2mm) and a dilator to part the fibers within the brain creating access to the structures located below the surface.  Using the dilator, a small clear plastic tube (sheath) is placed within the substance of the brain and an endoscope (telescope) is placed inside this tube (figure 1). This creates an “up-close” and magnified view that is projected on a high definition plasma screen. This precise surgical pathway is used to remove the tumor using specialized surgical instrumentation working completely inside this small tube (figure 2).

Tumors located within the brain are referred to as intraxial tumors. The brain port was designed to work within the brain substance itself (parenchyma) or within the fluid system in the brain (ventricles). 

Remembering the concept that the brain behaves like a sponge made of delicate fibers and those fibers serve to connect critical structures, the brain port gives surgeons the ability to reduce brain tissue damage by working along these fibers through a protective “straw/port”.  The port technique aims to first separate the tissue fibers with a dilator (as opposed to removing a corridor of brain) and to then work within the protective tunnel of the port.

The port serves two key purposes:

     •   It provides a direct working corridor to the tumor

     •   It gently separates and protects the brain tissue along the surgical pathway

Since manipulation of the brain around the port is minimized, once the port is removed, the fibers have the potential of returning to their natural state with less disruption than with more traditional techniques (figure 3).

The potential advantages of the brain port include:

     •   The ability to access structures below the surface of the brain with less tissue disruption

     •   Preservation of critical fibers of the brain and surface structures