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Complications of treatment: pulmonary embolism following craniotomy for meningioma.

We present two case reports of patients who suffered a pulmonary embolism (PE) in the week following surgery for removal of a meningioma. Both patients were anticoagulated in the first week following surgery, and as a result, both suffered intracerebral bleeds requiring further surgery. An inferior vena caval (IVC) filter was then used in both patients to prevent further embolic events. Following our experience, we believe that it is dangerous to use intravenous anticoagulation within 6 days of cranial surgery for removal of a meningioma. We have reviewed the literature concerning the present guidelines for thromboembolic prophylaxis in patients requiring neurosurgery and believe that consideration of subcutaneous low-molecular-weight heparin should now be given to all patients requiring craniotomy for removal of a meningioma.

Anticoagulants↗

Monitored anesthesia care using remifentanil and propofol for awake craniotomy.

Adequate analgesia and sedation with adequate respiratory and hemodynamic control are needed during brain surgery in awake patients. In this study, a protocol using clonidine premedication, intraoperative propofol, remifentanil, and labetalol was evaluated prospectively in 25 patients (aged 50 +/- 16). In all but one patient, no significant problems regarding cooperation, brain swelling, or loss of control were noticed, and it was not necessary to prematurely discontinue any of the procedures. One patient, who was uncooperative and hypertensive, became apneic with increasing sedation, and needed a laryngeal mask airway inserted. Patients were hemodynamically stable; elevated systolic blood pressure (>or= 150 mm Hg) was measured infrequently, and there were no events of significant hypotension, tachycardia, or bradycardia. Events of hypoxemia (SAO2 <or= 95%), severe hypoxemia (SaO2 <or= 90%), or hypoventilation (respiratory rate <or=8 minute), were frequent in the first ten patients, but the incidence decreased significantly in subsequent patients (P < .001). Three patients developed a focal neurologic deficit, and two patients experienced intraoperative seizures. Nausea and vomiting were not recorded in any of the patients. Although these findings attest to the safety of awake craniotomy, they demonstrate the difficulty of achieving adequate sedation without compromising ventilation and oxygenation. The learning curve of using a new protocol and a new potent anesthetic drug is emphasized.

Analgesics, Opioid↗

Postoperative pain management after supratentorial craniotomy.

The aim of this study was to compare the analgesic efficacy of three different postoperative treatments after supratentorial craniotomy. Sixty-four patients were allocated prospectively and randomly into three groups: paracetamol (the P group, n = 8), paracetamol and tramadol (the PT group, n = 29), and paracetamol and nalbuphine (the PN group, n = 27). General anesthesia was standardized with propofol and remifentanil using atracurium as the muscle relaxant. One hour before the end of surgery, all patients received 30 mg/kg propacetamol intravenously then 30 mg/kg every 6 hours. Patients in the PT group received 1.5 mg/kg tramadol 1 hour before the end of surgery. For patients in the PN group, 0.15 mg/kg nalbuphine was injected after discontinuation of remifentanil, because of its mu-antagonist effect. Postoperative pain was assessed in the fully awake patient after extubation (hour 0) and at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 24 hours using a visual analog scale (VAS). Additional tramadol (1.5 mg/kg) or 0.15 mg/kg nalbuphine was administered when the VAS score was > or = 30 mm. Analgesia was compared using the Mantha and Kaplan-Meier methods. Adverse effects of the drugs were also measured. The three groups were similar with respect to the total dose of remifentanil received (0.27 +/- 0.1 mircog/kg/min). In all patients, extubation was obtained within 6 +/- 3 minutes after remifentanil administration. Postoperative analgesia was ineffective in the P group; therefore, inclusions in this group were stopped after the eighth patient. Postoperative analgesia was effective in the two remaining groups because VAS scores were similar, except at hour 1, when nalbuphine was more effective (P = .001). Nevertheless, acquiring such a result demanded significantly more tramadol than nalbuphine (P < .05). More cases of nausea and vomiting were observed in the PT group but the difference was not significant (P < .06). In conclusion, pain after supratentorial neurosurgery must be taken into account, and paracetamol alone is insufficient in bringing relief to the patient. Addition of either tramadol or nalbuphine to paracetamol seems necessary to achieve adequate analgesia, with, nevertheless, a larger dose of tramadol to fulfill this objective.

Acetaminophen↗

Aprotinin and deep hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass with or without circulatory arrest for craniotomy.

Deep hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass with or without circulatory arrest has been used to facilitate the surgical repair of complex cerebrovascular lesions. The advantages of deep hypothermia have been tempered by the occurrence of coagulopathy that is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. This study analyzed retrospectively the records of 13 patients who underwent cerebrovascular neurosurgery using deep hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass with or without circulatory arrest during the period 1993 through 1999. All patients received the serine protease inhibitor aprotinin in an effort to avoid the development of a coagulopathy, defined as hemorrhage requiring reoperation. No patients developed postoperative intracranial hemorrhage. There was also no evidence of renal dysfunction, deep venous thrombosis, myocardial infarction, or pulmonary embolism. In conclusion, this study suggests that aprotinin may be beneficial to avoid the coagulopathy that is more likely to occur if deep hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass with or without circulatory arrest is used for craniotomy without adverse effects on renal function or apparent thrombotic complications.

Aprotinin↗

Awake craniotomy with dexmedetomidine in pediatric patients.

We present our experience with the use of dexmedetomidine, an alpha2 agonist, in two children undergoing awake craniotomy. General anesthesia with the laryngeal mask airway was used for parts of the procedure not requiring patient cooperation to reduce the duration of wakefulness and abolish the discomfort of surgical stimulation. Dexmedetomidine was used as a primary anesthetic for brain mapping of the cortical speech area. The asleep-awake-sleep technique provided adequate sedation and analgesia throughout the surgery and allowed the patient to complete the necessary neuropsychological tests. To our knowledge, ours is the first description of the use of dexmedetomidine in pediatric neurosurgery.

Child↗

Tension pneumocephalus after craniotomy in supine position.

Tension pneumocephalus has been reported frequently after posterior fossa surgery, mostly in procedures done in the sitting position. Though uncommon, tension pneumocephalus is a life-threatening complication that requires urgent diagnosis and treatment. It is rare for this complication to occur after neurosurgical procedures done in the supine position. The authors report a case of an adult patient diagnosed with craniopharyngioma who developed tension pneumocephalus following craniotomy in the supine position.

Adult↗

Loss of SSEP during sitting craniotomy.

A 54-year-old woman with a past medical history of asthma and depression presented with right side hearing loss and ataxia. She was scheduled for a sitting craniotomy for cerebellopontine angle tumor resection. Somatosensory evoked potential, brainstem auditory evoked response, and facial nerve EMG were monitored intraoperatively. Approximately 30 minutes into the case, there was an episode of air embolism, which resolved after the source was identified and treated. Near the conclusion of the case, there was an abrupt loss of the right cortical somatosensory evoked potential signal, which never returned to baseline. A postoperative CT scan showed a substantial amount of subarachnoid air and intraventricular air in the frontal and temporal regions. The patient awakened in the ICU with no new neurologic deficit besides preoperative hearing loss on the right side. Despite the high specificity of somatosensory evoked potential change associated with postoperative neurodeficit when the change never returns to the baseline, there was no postoperative neurologic deficit in this patient. This case indicates the false-positive somatosensory evoked potentials caused by pneumocephalus in the sitting position.

Cerebellar Neoplasms↗

No difference in emergence time and early cognitive function between sevoflurane-fentanyl and propofol-remifentanil in patients undergoing craniotomy for supratentorial intracranial surgery.

Balanced anesthesia with sevoflurane-fentanyl has been widely accepted as anesthetic management for neurosurgery. Propofol-remifentanil regimen has been successfully used in various surgical settings, but a comprehensive comparison of sevoflurane-fentanyl and propofol-remifentanil anesthesia in patients undergoing craniotomy for supratentorial intracranial surgery has not yet been done. The aim of this prospective, randomized, open-label clinical trial was to compare clinical properties of sevoflurane-fentanyl with propofol-remifentanil anesthesia in patients undergoing supratentorial intracranial surgery. The primary endpoint was to compare early postoperative recovery and cognitive functions within the two groups; we also evaluated hemodynamic events, vomiting, shivering, and pain. One hundred twenty patients (64 males; age 15-75 years) were randomized to either total intravenous anesthesia (group T) or sevoflurane anesthesia (group S). Emergence and extubation times and cognitive function (Short Orientation Memory Concentration Test [SOMCT]) were compared in the two groups. Brain swelling, incidence of hypotensive and hypertensive episodes, postoperative vomiting, shivering, and pain were also analyzed. The mean emergence time (12.2 +/- 4.9 minutes for group S versus 12.3 +/- 6.1 minutes for group T; P = 0.92) and extubation time (18.2 +/- 2.3 minutes for group S versus 18.3 +/- 2.1 minutes for group T; P = 0.80) were similar in the two groups. Average SOMCT scores, both 15 minutes after extubation (25.6 +/- 4.9 in group S versus 23.9 +/- 7.5 in group T; P = 0.14) and 45 minutes after extubation (27.3 +/- 2.2 in group S versus 26.0 +/- 5.1 in group T; P = 0.07) were also comparable. Brain swelling was present in seven and five patients in groups S and T, respectively (P = 0.76). Hypotension was present in 12% (group S) and 28% (group T) of patients (P = 0.02). Hypertension was present in 17% of patients in group S and 40% of patients in group T (P = 0.0046). Shivering was present in 18% and 25% of patients in groups T and S (P = 0.37). Our study demonstrates that there is no patient benefit of using total intravenous anesthesia with an ultra-short-acting opioid over the conventional balanced volatile technique in terms of recovery and cognitive functions.

Adolescent↗

Scalp infiltration with bupivacaine plus epinephrine or plain ropivacaine reduces postoperative pain after supratentorial craniotomy.

Local anesthetic infiltration has been proposed to decrease postoperative pain. The aim of this study was to determine whether scalp infiltration with bupivacaine or ropivacaine would improve analgesia after supratentorial craniotomy for tumor resection. Eighty patients were recruited into a randomized double-blind study. Infiltration was performed after skin closure with 20 mL of saline 0.9% (placebo group, n = 40), of 0.375% bupivacaine with epinephrine 1:200,000 (bupivacaine group, n = 20), or of 0.75% ropivacaine (ropivacaine group, n = 20). Postoperative analgesia was provided with patient-controlled morphine IV analgesia (PCA). The study was continued until PACU discharge, which occurred early in the morning following surgery. Results are reported on 37 patients in the placebo group, 20 in the bupivacaine group, and 19 in the ropivacaine group because 4 patients experienced postoperative complications and were excluded from the study. Morphine titration at arrival in the postanesthesia care unit was necessary more often in the placebo group (62% of the patients) than in the 2 treated groups (19% in each, P = 0.02). The median quantity of morphine administered during the first 2 postoperative hours, including initial titration administered by a nurse and PCA-administered morphine, was lower in each treated group than in the placebo group (P < 0.01). The median morphine consumption up to the 16th postoperative hour was not significantly different among the 3 groups. There was no difference in the visual analogue scale scores among the 3 groups at any time. Scalp infiltration with either bupivacaine or ropivacaine had a statistically significant effect on morphine consumption during the first 2 postoperative hours.

Adult↗

The effects of 10 degrees reverse Trendelenburg position on subdural intracranial pressure and cerebral perfusion pressure in patients subjected to craniotomy for cerebral aneurysm.

The aim of the current study was to examine the effects of 10 degrees reverse Trendelenburg position (rTp) on subdural intracranial pressure (ICP), cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), and dural tension. Additionally, the relationship between preoperative Hunt and Hess (H and H) grade and the subdural ICP in patients scheduled for cerebral aneurysm surgery was investigated. Twenty-eight consecutive patients with a cerebral aneurysm were subjected to craniotomy in propofol/fentanyl or propofol/remifentanil anesthesia. Subdural ICP was measured after opening of the bone flap and exposure of dura. After reference measurements of subdural ICP and mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), the measurements were repeated during 10 degrees rTp. No significant differences between the anesthetic groups were disclosed. During 10 degrees rTp, a significant decrease in MABP, ICP, and jugular bulb pressure was observed whereas CPP remained unchanged. In H and H 0 patients (unruptured aneurysm), the ICP decreased from 2.9 +/- 2.6 mmHg to 0.4 +/- 2.2 mmHg at 10 degrees rTp. In H and H I to II patients, the ICP decreased from 9.3 +/- 3.8 mmHg to 4.6 +/- 3.3 mmHg at 10 degrees rTp. A significant difference in the mean baseline subdural ICP and DeltaICP (change in ICP) was found between patients with unruptured aneurysm and patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (H&H I and II). Furthermore, the relationship between the subdural ICP at neutral position and DeltaICP was significant. In patients without intracranial hypertension, 10 degrees rTp decreases subdural ICP and dural tension in patients with ruptured as well as patients with unruptured cerebral aneurysm; CPP is unchanged.

Anesthesia, General↗

The efficacy of 5-HT3 receptor antagonists for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting after craniotomy: a meta-analysis.

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to assess the efficacy of prophylactic administration of 5-HT3 receptor antagonists for postoperative nausea and vomiting in neurosurgical patients at 24 and 48+ hours. After a systematic search, 7 published randomized placebo controlled trials involving 448 craniotomy patients (222 treatment, 226 control) were included in the meta-analysis. Study drugs included ondansetron, granisetron, and tropisetron. The cumulative incidence of emesis was significantly reduced in the treatment group at 24 hours [relative risk (RR)=0.50, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.38-0.66] and 48+ hours (RR=0.52, 95% CI: 0.36-0.75). There were no differences between the treatment and control groups in the cumulative incidence of nausea at 24 hours (RR=0.76, 95% CI: 0.54-1.06) and 48+ hours (RR=0.81, 95% CI: 0.62-1.06). The cumulative incidence of both nausea and vomiting continued to increase after 24 hours in both groups. Despite the ability of 5-HT3 receptor antagonists to reduce emetic episodes, future investigations should seek to address the control of postoperative nausea and to reduce further postoperative emesis in this population.

Antiemetics↗

Effect of propofol on cerebrospinal fluid pressure and cerebral perfusion pressure in patients undergoing craniotomy.

The effects of propofol on cerebrospinal fluid pressure, mean arterial pressure, cerebral perfusion pressure and heart rate were studied during induction, tracheal intubation and skin incision in 23 patients scheduled for elective craniotomy. Premedication consisted of midazolam 0.1 mg/kg intramuscularly and metoprolol 1 mg/kg orally. Measurements were made or derived at time zero and 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 and 3 minutes after an induction dose of propofol 1.5 mg/kg. A continuous infusion of propofol was started at time zero at a rate of 100 mg/kg/minute. Fentanyl 2 micrograms/kg was added before tracheal intubation, application of the pin head holder and skin incision. Cerebrospinal fluid pressure and mean arterial pressure decreased significantly 2 minutes after propofol alone, by 32% and 10% respectively, while a cerebral perfusion pressure above 70 mmHg was maintained. Heart rate did not change. Propofol combined with moderate dose of fentanyl, obtunded the usual cerebrospinal fluid and arterial pressure responses to intubation and other noxious stimuli. Thus propofol seems to be a suitable intravenous anaesthetic agent for induction and maintenance in neuroanaesthesia.

Anesthesia, Intravenous↗

The effects of midazolam on cerebral blood flow and oxygen consumption. Interaction with nitrous oxide in patients undergoing craniotomy for supratentorial cerebral tumours.

Cerebral blood flow and the cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen were measured in 30 patients during craniotomy for supratentorial cerebral tumours by a modification of the Kety-Schmidt technique using Xenon 133 intravenously. Anaesthesia was induced with midazolam 0.3 mg/kg, fentanyl and pancuronium, and maintained with midazolam as a continuous infusion, fentanyl, pancuronium and nitrous oxide in oxygen or oxygen in air. The concentration of midazolam in the blood of 10 patients was about 300 ng/litre during two measurements; the patients' lungs were ventilated with N2O in oxygen. The concentration of midazolam in the blood of another 10 patients was doubled to about 600 ng/litre during the second flow measurement; the patients' lungs were ventilated with N2O/O2. The concentration of midazolam in the blood of the third group of 10 patients was doubled to 600 ng/litre during the second flow measurement; the patients' lungs were ventilated with oxygen in air. No relationship was found between the dose of midazolam and cerebral blood flow or oxygen consumption. Nitrous oxide in combination with midazolam also had no effect on these variables.

Adult↗

Air embolism during awake craniotomy.

A case of venous air embolism during awake craniotomy is described. Chest pain and electrocardiographic changes were the major presenting features. Capnography detected a decrease in end-tidal carbon dioxide and demonstrates its use as an aid in the diagnosis of air embolism in the awake patient. Following this episode persistent hypoxaemia developed secondary to acute pulmonary oedema and a pleural effusion.

Adult↗

Pain following craniotomy: a preliminary study comparing PCA morphine with intramuscular codeine phosphate.

We have performed a prospective randomised trial of 30 patients undergoing craniotomy to compare intramuscular codeine phosphate with patient-controlled analgesia using morphine 1 mg bolus with a 10-min lockout and no background infusion. For 24 h postoperatively, pain, nausea, Glasgow coma score, respiratory rate and sedation score were assessed. There was a wide variation in the amounts of morphine requested by the patients in the patient-controlled analgesia group in the first 24 h postoperatively (range 2-79 mg, median 17 mg). There was a small, but non-significant, reduction in pain scores in the patient-controlled analgesia group. There were no significant differences between the two groups in respect of nausea and vomiting, sedation score or respiratory rate. No major adverse effects were noted in either group. Patient-controlled analgesia with morphine is an alternative to intramuscular codeine phosphate in neurosurgical patients which merits further investigation.

Adolescent↗

The effects of indomethacin on intracranial pressure and cerebral haemodynamics in patients undergoing craniotomy: a randomised prospective study.

We compared the effects of indomethacin (bolus of 0.2 mg.kg-1 followed by an infusion of 0.2 mg.kg-1.h-1) and placebo on intracranial pressure and cerebral haemodynamics in 30 patients undergoing craniotomy for supratentorial brain tumours under propofol and fentanyl anaesthesia. Indomethacin was given before induction of anaesthesia and the infusion was terminated after opening of the dura. Subdural intracranial pressure was measured through the first burr hole and before opening the dura. Cerebral blood flow velocity, cerebral perfusion pressure, jugular bulb oxygen saturation, arterio-venous oxygen difference and carbon dioxide reactivity were measured; dural tension and the degree of brain swelling were estimated. Before induction of anaesthesia, indomethacin administration was associated with a significant decrease in cerebral blood flow velocity compared with placebo. After induction of anaesthesia, cerebral blood flow velocity and mean arterial blood pressure decreased significantly in both groups. Indomethacin was not associated with a decrease in intracranial pressure. There were no differences in cerebral perfusion pressure, dural tension or degree of brain swelling between the two groups. Carbon dioxide reactivity measured after induction of anaesthesia was significantly lower in the indomethacin group (p < 0.05). After removal of the bone flap, no significant difference in carbon dioxide reactivity was observed. We suggest that these findings are explained by propofol-induced cerebral vasoconstriction.

Adult↗

Awake craniotomy for glioblastoma in a 9-year-old child.

We report the pre-operative preparation and anaesthetic management for resection of an intracerebral tumour during awake craniotomy in a 9-year-old boy. We believe this is the youngest patient reported to have undergone this procedure. The challenges of sedation and psychological care throughout the procedure are discussed. We conclude that the procedure can be performed safely and that it seems unacceptable to uphold an age restriction. We believe that it is the individual level of development of the child that determines suitability for this type of surgery.

Anesthesia, Local↗

CBF and CMRO2 during craniotomy for small supratentorial cerebral tumours in enflurane anaesthesia. A dose-response study.

In 14 patients with supratentorial cerebral tumours with midline shift less than or equal to 10 mm, cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO2) were measured twice on the contralateral side of the craniotomy, using a modification of the Kety & Schmidt method. For induction of anaesthesia, thiopental, fentanyl and pancuronium were used. The anaesthesia was maintained with enflurane 1% in nitrous oxide 67%. Moderate hypocapnia to a level averaging 4.3 kPa was achieved. The patients were divided into two groups. In Group 1 (n = 7), 1% enflurane was used throughout the anaesthesia, and CBF and CMRO2 measured about 70 min after induction averaged 30.1 ml 100 g-1 min-1 and 1.98 ml O2 100 g-1 min-1, respectively. During the second CBF study 1 h later, CBF and CMRO2 were unchanged (P greater than 0.05). In Group 2 (n = 7), the inspiratory enflurane concentration was increased from 1 to 2% after the first CBF measurement. In this group a significant decrease in CMRO2 was observed, while CBF was unchanged. In six patients EEG was recorded simultaneously with the CBF measurements. In patients subjected to increasing enflurane concentration (Group 2), a suppression in the EEG activity was observed without spike waves. It is concluded that enflurane induces a dose-related decrease in CMRO2 and suppression in the EEG activity, whereas CBF was unchanged.

Adult↗