In a cutting edge development which might change the face of neurosurgery forever, British surgeons are now undertaking brain surgeries through the nose. Currently the procedure is being used and refined at the Southampton General Hospital.

The procedure, formally known as Endonasal Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery, is essentially used to remove skull base tumor. The skull is entered entirely via the nose and there are no additional incisions. Skull base neurosurgeon Dr. Nijaguna Mathad, and ENT Salil Nair have jointly mastered this procedure at the SG Hospital's Wessex Neurological Centre.

"This minimal access and maximal invasive procedure is at the cutting edge of neurosurgery," shared Dr. Mathad. "One of the first patients we used this technique on was suffering from a tumor with an erosion of the skull base."

Via this new surgical procedure, surgeons will now be able to reach tumors which are at the base of the skull and/or the top of the spine using an endoscope. Earlier, a similar operation required the surgeon to employ a more difficult procedure. With the new way, not only will the surgery be shorter and less complicated, patients will be able to recover and return to their normal routine much quicker.