Microsurgical treatment and prevention of postoperative complications for the fourth ventricle tumors in adults / 中南大学学报(医学版)

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the microneurosurgical technique and prevention of postoper-ative complications for the fourth ventricle tumors in adults. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 68 patients with the fourth ventricle tumors between August 2005 and August 2007 in Xiangya Hospital after microsurgical operation. Tumors were excised by inferior vermis cere-bellar approach or cerebellomedullary fissure approach. The extent of tumor removal should take into consideration the possible injury of brain stem respiratory center, especially tumors adherent to the brain stem. Cerebral aqueduct obstructions were removed in all patients, suspending dura on the neck muscles during closing skull to eliminate scalp hydrops. Results There were 58 total tumor excisions and 10 subtotal tumor excisions. No patient died and no suboccipital hydrops took place before dis-charge in this study. Postoperative symptomatic hydrocephalus was found in 10 patients, but it was cured by ventricle-abdomen shunt. Hemorrhage in tumor lumen happened in 4 patients, who received second microsurgery. Drugs were given to 8 patients with intracranial pneumatocele, 10 with intracra-nial infection, and 18 with upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Five patients out of the 16 tracheoto-mies recovered well by mechanical ventilation. Conclusion Protecting the life center of brain stem and dredging the aqueduct outlet completely were the key to surgical success. Therapeutic effect could be improved by adept microneurosurgical techniques after operation. The prognosis of patients may be improved by preventing complications actively and combined therapy after the operation.