Endovate

Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy (ETV) is a neurosurgical procedure used to treat hydrocephalus, or the accumulation of excess cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain. ETVs are minimally invasive and lifesaving, yet the procedure’s steep learning curve makes them difficult to perform. The small and sensitive neuroanatomy combined with the navigation of an endoscope while watching 2D video footage makes ETV difficult to learn, with limited opportunities to gain practice outside of the OR. Our team has developed a high-fidelity physical simulator of the key steps and anatomical features of the procedure in order to improve training of ETV among neurosurgical residents.