ABSTRACT
Background@# There are conflicting opinions on the effect of dexmedetomidine on cerebral autoregulation. This study assessed its effect on dynamic cerebral autoregulation (dCA) using a transcranial Doppler (TCD). @*Methods@# Thirty American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I and II patients between 18 and 60 years, who underwent lumbar spine surgery, received infusions of dexmedetomidine (Group D) or normal saline (Group C), followed by anesthesia with propofol and fentanyl, and maintenance with oxygen, nitrous oxide and sevoflurane. After five minutes of normocapnic ventilation and stable bispectral index value (BIS) of 40-50, the right middle cerebral artery flow velocity (MCAFV) was recorded with TCD. The transient hyperemic response (THR) test was performed by compressing the right common carotid artery for 5-7 seconds. The lungs were hyperventilated to test carbon dioxide (CO2) reactivity. Hemodynamic parameters, arterial CO2 tension, pulse oximetry (SpO2), MCAFV and BIS were measured before and after hyperventilation. Dexmedetomidine infusion was discontinued ten minutes before skin-closure. Time to recovery and extubation, modified Aldrete score, and emergence agitation were recorded. @*Results@# Demographic parameters, durations of surgery and anesthesia, THR ratio (Group D: 1.26 ± 0.11 vs. Group C: 1.23 ± 0.04; P = 0.357), relative CO2 reactivity (Group D: 1.19 ± 0.34 %/mmHg vs. Group C: 1.23 ± 0.25 %/mmHg; P = 0.547), blood pressure, SpO2, BIS, MCAFV, time to recovery, time to extubation and modified Aldrete scores were comparable. @*Conclusions@# Dexmedetomidine administration does not impair dCA and CO2 reactivity in patients undergoing spine surgery under sevoflurane anesthesia.
ABSTRACT
Considering the important role of pituitary gland in regulating various endocrine axes and its unique anatomical location, various postoperative complications can be anticipated resulting from surgery on pituitary tumors. We examined and categorized the immediate postoperative complications according to various tumor pathologies. We carried out a prospective study in 152 consecutive patients and noted various postoperative complications during neurosurgical intensive care unit stay [within 48 hrs of hospital stay] in patients undergoing transsphenoidal removal of pituitary tumors. In our series, various groups showed different postoperative complications out of which, cerebrospinal fluid leak was the commonest followed by diabetes insipidus, postoperative nausea and vomiting, and hematoma at operation site. Various immediate postoperative complications can be anticipated in transsphenoidal pituitary surgery even though, it is considered to be relatively safe
ABSTRACT
Subcutaneous tunneling for ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion is the most painful step of this surgery. It is associated with intense hemodynamic response, may influence the intracranial pressure, and thus may worsen the existing intracranial pathology. The purpose of this report is to evaluate the commonly used opioid fentanyl, along with butorphanol, an agonist-antagonist compound. Twenty adult patients undergoing ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery were induced with fentanyl 2-mcg.kg[-1] and thiopentone 4-5 mg.kg[-1]. Intubation followed the administration of rocuronium 1 mg.kg[-1]. All patients were put on mechanical ventilation to maintain end-tidal carbon dioxide levels of 32 +/- 2 mmHg. Anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane in N[2]O and O[2] [MAC 1.0 +/- 0.2]. Routine monitoring, arterial blood pressure and intracranial pressures were measured. Three minutes prior to the tunneling phase, patients received either fentanyl 1 mcg.kg[-1] or butorphanol 1 mg in a randomized manner. Thereafter hemodynamic and intracranial pressure changes were noted during tunneling and each minute in the post-tunneling period for 5 minutes. The duration of the tunneling phase was also noted. Data were presented as number [proportion] or mean +/- SD/median [range] as appropriate. Statistical analysis was done using Wilkoxon ranksum test and the repeated measures of ANOVA. The value of p < 0.05 was considered significant. A significant rise in the intracranial pressure and cerebral perfusion pressure along with the hemodynamic parameters was noted during the tunneling phase in both groups. The changes were of longer clinical duration in the butorphanol group. Butorphanol must be used with caution in neurosurgical patients. The ventricular end of the shunt catheter should preferably be put before the tunneling phase to avoid rise in intracranial pressure
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Hemodynamics/drug effects , Fentanyl , Butorphanol , Ventriculoperitoneal ShuntABSTRACT
In neurosurgical practice, extradural or subgaleal drains are commonly placed and connected to a vacuum system. Several reports have described severe bradycardia or arterial hypotension, or both, after connection of negative suction pressure to the extradural or epicranial drains following craniotomy. We encountered an unusual complication with the use of the vacuum drain after an elective aneurysmal clipping surgery. Our case is an iatrogenic intracranial hypotension leading to a clinically significant and potentially fatal complication