During surgery on a mammal, we perform a small (5mm by 5mm) craniotomy,
and we want to expose the underlying cortex for single electrode recordings.
For this, we have to incise and reflect the dura, but I am not satisfied
with our method. Basically, we take very fine forceps and iridectomy
scissors, rub the forceps on the dura until, at some point, something
in the dura actually gets caught by the forceps, lift the dura, cut it
and further resect it with the scissors.
When you do that, it really feels like you are rubbing against the dura
until something breaks on it, and you use the slit you just made to lift
the dura, pia and arach. membrane and cut through the meninges. It seems
to me that there should be a better way.
What do people on this group do when they are faced with having to expose
cortex? How do neurosurgeons do it with humans, without (obviously)
damaging the underlying cortex?
Didier
didier at src.umd.edu