Atraumatic suction tip for microneurosurgery--clinical experience.

Our two-year experience with a new atraumatic tip for the neurosurgical suction tube is described. During microneurosurgical procedures the tip reduces injury to fragile vital brain structures and protects them from being aspirated into the suction tube. The perforated membrane of the appended suction tip does not impede evacuation of blood in any situation and can be easily cleaned off without demounting. The device can be immediately attached to the tube and disconnected. The neurosurgeon need not concentrate on its use, in contrast to those systems with active suction pressure control. The atraumatic suction tip is available in several sizes to fit different callibers of suction tubes.