Role of Frameless Stereotaxy in the Surgical Treatment of Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations: Technique and Outcomes in a Controlled Study of 44 Consecutive Patients

Abstract

Frameless stereotaxy allows surgeons to 1) plan the optimal trajectory to an AVM, 2) minimize the skin incision and craniotomy sizes, and 3) confirm the AVM margins and identify deep vascular components during resection. These benefits of stereotaxy were most apparent for small, deep AVMs that were not visible on the surface of the brain. Frameless stereotaxy reduces the operative time and blood loss during AVM resection.