A Global Review of the Perioperative Care of Patients With Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Undergoing Microsurgical Repair of Ruptured Intracerebral Aneurysm.

INTRODUCTION: To describe the perioperative care of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) who undergo microsurgical repair of a ruptured intracerebral aneurysm. METHODS: An English language survey examined 138 areas of the perioperative care of patients with aSAH. Reported practices were categorized as those reported by <20%, 21% to 40%, 41% to 60%, 61% to 80%, and 81% to 100% of participating hospitals. Data were stratified by Worldbank country income level (high-income or low/middle-income). Variation between country-income groups and between countries was presented as an intracluster correlation coefficient (ICC) and 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: Forty-eight hospitals representing 14 countries participated in the survey (response rate 64%); 33 (69%) hospitals admitted ≥60 aSAH patients per year. Clinical practices reported by 81 to 100% of the hospitals included placement of an arterial catheter, preinduction blood type/cross match, use of neuromuscular blockade during induction of general anesthesia, delivering 6 to 8 mL/kg tidal volume, and checking hemoglobin and electrolyte panels. Reported use of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring was 25% (41% in high-income and 10% in low/middle-income countries), with variation between Worldbank country-income group (ICC 0.15, 95% CI 0.02-2.76) and between countries (ICC 0.44, 95% CI 0.00-0.68). The use of induced hypothermia for neuroprotection was low (2%). Before aneurysm securement, variable in blood pressure targets was reported; systolic blood pressure 90 to 120 mm Hg (30%), 90 to 140 mm Hg (21%), and 90 to 160 mmHg (5%). Induced hypertension during temporary clipping was reported by 37% of hospitals (37% each in high and low/middle-income countries). CONCLUSIONS: This global survey identifies differences in reported practices during the perioperative management of patients with aSAH.

Perioperative complications in endovascular neurosurgery: Anesthesiologist's perspective.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular neurosurgery is known to be associated with potentially serious perioperative complications that can impact the course and outcome of anesthesia. We present here our institutional experience in the anesthetic management of various endovascular neurosurgical procedures and their related complications over a 10-year period. METHODS: Data was obtained in 240 patients pertaining to their preoperative status, details of anesthesia and surgery, perioperative course and surgery-related complications. Information regarding hemodynamic alterations, temperature variability, fluid-electrolyte imbalance, coagulation abnormalities and alterations in the anesthesia course was specifically noted. RESULTS: Among the important complications observed were aneurysm rupture (2.5%), vasospasm (6.67%), thromboembolism (4.16%), contrast reactions, hemodynamic alterations, electrolyte abnormalities, hypothermia, delayed emergence from anesthesia, groin hematomas and early postoperative mortality (5.14%). CONCLUSION: Awareness of the unique challenges of endovascular neurosurgery and prompt and appropriate management of the associated complications by an experienced neuroanesthesiologist is vital to the outcome of these procedures.

Perioperative concerns in neurosurgical patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection.

BACKGROUND: The perioperative management of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients undergoing neurosurgery is challenging due to the presence of HIV-related multi-system derangements, opportunistic infections and malignancies, history of substance abuse, and adverse effects of anti-retroviral therapy (ART), together with the inherent risks of neurosurgery. The possible adverse impact of HIV disease on the anesthetic outcome due to the associated co-morbidities, and conversely, the role of surgery and anesthesia in HIV disease progression due to their immunosuppressive effects, and also, the fear of HIV transmission among the attending medical personnel are the important perioperative concerns in such surgeries. AIM: To present our experience in the perioperative management of HIV-infected patients who underwent neurosurgery at our institute in the past 5 years and highlight the relevant perioperative issues. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the records of HIV-infected neurosurgical patients was undertaken to determine their HIV status and ART, anesthesia and surgery details, perioperative complications, and instances of postoperative worsening of HIV disease or its transmission, if any. RESULTS: Seven HIV infected patients with variable severity of HIV infection and systemic disease underwent neurosurgery for different indications. Their perioperative management was modified in accordance with the co-morbidities and the type of neurosurgery. There was no obvious adverse impact of the HIV disease on the anesthetic outcome, no obvious clinical evidence of post-surgery worsening of the HIV disease, and no instance of HIV transmission in our patients. CONCLUSION: A goodunderstanding of the HIV disease and its perioperative implications during neurosurgery helps in better patient management and enables a safe outcome.

Post-operative acute circulatory collapse following craniofacial surgery: Rare event and rarer cause.

We are presenting a case of a 13-year-old female patient diagnosed and operated for maxillary odontogenic myxoma extending to the anterior cranial base. The postoperative complication occurred in the form of acute circulatory collapse. The patient was bailed out with cardiopulmonary resuscitation and return of spontaneous circulation occurred. Investigations into the cause of the event led to the finding of an uncommon syndrome. Meigs syndrome is a triad of ovarian tumor mass, pleural effusion and ascites. It has been the topic of interest for the gynecologic fraternity since 1934, when the first case was reported by J. V. Meigs. According to the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of an acute circulatory collapse due to Meigs syndrome in a maxillofacial patient.

Intrafistula pressure measurement in traumatic carotid cavernous fistulas--key to increasing safety and effectiveness of endovascular coiling.

BACKGROUND: Very few diseases demostrate the tremendous variation and capricious results common with the clinical ensemble of carotid cavernous fistulas (CCFs). The treatment modality for CCFs has changed from surgical to endovascular therapy. Many options exist in endovascular therapy ranging from balloons to coils and liquid embolization agents like Onyx. This study was undertaken to assess the role of recording intra-fistula pressure (IFP) during endovascular coiling of CCFs in order to help us better understand the angiodynamics of the fistula and to make coiling safer and effective. METHODS: IFP measurement was done in 15 cases of traumatic CCF undergoing endovascular coiling. Patients were prospectively analyzed by pre- and post- procedural clinical profile, degree of recovery and time until fistula occlusion. Univariate analysis was used to find the correlation between the reduction in IFP, the degree of fistula obliteration and time until occlusion. RESULTS: Of the 15 patients who underwent endovascular coiling 13 had total occlusion of the fistula, 1 patient had subtotal occlusion and 1 patient had no occlusion of the fistula. There was 100 % internal carotid artery (ICA) patency. Univariate analysis showed a strong correlation between the degree of reduction in IFP and time required for fistula occlusion (p < 0.001). Patients with a significant drop in IFP were also preceived as having a higher chance of fistula occlusion after waiting 30 min. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge this is the largest series in published literature focused on using only detachable coils as the first line embolizing agent in treatment of traumatic CCFs. We conclude that IFP monitoring will play an important role in making treatment of CCFs safer and more effective. The aim of coiling the fistula is not to tightly pack the fistula as during treatment of aneurysms; rather it is to reduce flow across the fistula leading to thrombosis thus reducing the requirement of coils.

Unusual perioperative cardiac emergency in a healthy young woman.

Serious cardiac complications occurring during noncardiac surgery in a young and otherwise normal person can be quite alarming for the anesthesiologist. We report here the case of a young, healthy woman who immediately after an uncomplicated spinal surgery developed a clinical picture suggestive of an acute myocardial infarction (MI) with positive relevant investigations. However, she had an abrupt and full clinical recovery and complete normalization of her cardiac investigations within a few days of this event and thereafter continued to lead a normal, symptom-free life unlike the usual course in an MI; her coronary angiography was also normal. A diagnosis of perioperative stress-induced cardiomyopathy or Takotsubo cardiomyopathy was subsequently made. This condition is characterized by a rapid, severe, but reversible, cardiac dysfunction triggered by physical or mental stress. Awareness of this entity should help anesthesiologists manage better this infrequent, but potentially life-threatening, perioperative complication.

Surgery for brain abscess in children with cyanotic heart disease: An anesthetic challenge.

CONTEXT: Patients with cyanotic congenital heart disease (cCHD) are prone to develop frequent brain abscesses. Surgery for these abscesses is often limited to aspiration under local anesthesia because excision under general anesthesia (GA) is considered a riskier option. Perioperative hemodynamic instability, cyanotic spells, coagulation defects, electrolyte and acid base imbalance, and sudden cardiac arrest are among the major anesthetic concerns. Most of our current knowledge in this area has been gained from a neurosurgical standpoint while there is a paucity of corresponding anesthesia literature. AIMS: To highlight the anesthesia issues involved in cCHD children undergoing brain abscess excision under GA. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Retrospective study of our institutional experience over a 5 year period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of all the children with cCHD who underwent brain abscess surgery from January 2005 to December 2009, only 4 were operated under GA. Surgery was done after correcting fever, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, coagulopathy and acid-base abnormalities, and taking appropriate intraoperative steps to maintain hemodynamic stability and prevent cyanotic spells and arrhythmias. RESULTS: All 4 patients had a successful abscess excision though with varying degrees of intraoperative problems. There was one death, on postoperative day 34, due to septicemia. CONCLUSIONS: Brain abscess excision under GA in children of cCHD can be safely carried out with proper planning and attention to detail.

Endoscopic observations of blocked ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt: a step toward better understanding of shunt obstruction and its removal.

OBJECTIVES: Most of our understanding of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt blockage (ventricular end) is based on in vitro studies of blocked VP shunts. Not much information is available regarding the in vivo changes that occur in the tube and in the surrounding ventricle. The primary aim of our study was to observe and analyse these changes, directly, through the endoscope, in patients with blocked shunts undergoing an endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV). Based on these findings, we have also suggested criteria for safe removal of the VP shunt tube following ETV. MATERIAL AND METHODS: ETV was performed with standard technique in patients with blocked VP shunt. The ventricular end of the shunt tube was inspected through the endoscope, for changes in ventricle linings as well as in the shunt tube. These changes were correlated with the age of the patient, etiology of HC, type or make of the shunt tube, duration of shunt placement to ETV and the CSF findings. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients of blocked VP shunt underwent ETV from July 2006 to April 2010. Thirty patients had Chhabra (CH) V P Shunt (Surgiwear, India) and 23 had ceredrain (CD) shunt (Hindustan Latex, India). The age of the patients ranged from 2 months to 60 years (mean--13.33 years.). Various causes of hydrocephalus (HC) included congenital hydrocephalus (aqueductal stenosis) in 18 patients, post-meningitis hydrocephalus (PMH) in 32 cases, neuro-cysticercosis (NCC) in 2 patients and intraventricular haemorrhagic (IVH) in 1 patient. Clinical and radiological improvement occurred in 33 (62.21%), and 24 (45%) patients, respectively. Freedom from shunt was attained in 20 (38%) patients. The changes around the shunt tube were seen in 41 (77%). Hyperaemia and neovascularised ependyma was seen in 20 (37%) and 15 (28%) patients. Encasement of the tube was seen in 41%. Ependymal growth and neovascularised shunt tubes were noticed in 15% each. Choroid plexus blocking the tube was seen in only four cases (7%). VP shunt was revised in 14 patients (26.4%). Patient with infective etiology had more changes (p < 0.005). Age, CSF findings and make of shunt tube had no relation with endoscopic observations (p< 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: ETV has a role in shunt failures. It can offer patient a chance of shunt free life. Endoscopic observation of shunt tube and ventricle can unfold several interesting in vivo findings pertaining to shunt obstruction. Shunt should only be removed if there are no adhesions and neovascularisation.

Perioperative challenges in patients with giant occipital encephalocele with microcephaly and micrognathia.

Meninigo-encepahlocoele (MEC) is a common neurosurgical operation. The size of MEC may vary which has bearing with its management. The association of MEC with micrognathia and microcephaly is rarely reported. The association poses special problem for intubation and maintenance of anaesthesia. Giant MEC may lead to significant CSF loss resulting in hemodynamic alteration. The prior knowledge and care in handling the patient can avoid minor as well as major complications.

Perioperative complications of intraventricular neuroendoscopy: a 7-year experience.

AIM: Despite being a minimally invasive procedure, serious perioperative complications are reported during neuroendoscopy, largely generated by its unique surgical maneuvers. We report here the complications of elective neuroendoscopic surgery for the treatment of hydrocephalus and other intraventricular pathology in 298 patients over a 7-year period at our institute. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The complication rate was determined by recording intraoperative hemodynamic variables, core temperature, bleeding episodes, time to arouse from anesthesia, serum electrolytes and neurological deterioration in the immediate postoperative period. RESULTS: Intraoperative complications included hemodynamic alterations in the form of tachycardia (57 patients, 20.1%), bradycardia (35 patients, 12.4%) and hypertension. Bleeding episodes were major in 4 patients (1.4%) and minor in 32 patients (11.3%). Hypothermia occurred in 12 patients (4.2 %), delayed awakening in 3 patients (1.1%) and electrolyte imbalance in 3 patients (1.1%). Postoperatively, 2 patients each had convulsions, anisocoria and evidence of 3rd cranial nerve injury. Mortality from observed complications was 1.1% (3 patients). CONCLUSION: Complications during neuroendoscopy may adversely affect its perioperative outcome. Anticipation of these complications in relation to the different surgical maneuvers, their prompt detection by close perioperative monitoring and coordinated efforts of the anesthetist and surgeon in treating them can help minimise the risks associated with neuroendoscopic procedures.

Anesthetic considerations in a patient with mitral valve disease for posterior fossa surgery.

Mitral valve disease in patients undergoing posterior fossa surgery enhances the inherent risk of the procedure and can complicate the anesthetic management. A great challenge for the anesthesiologist is to choose the most appropriate perioperative technique that balances the specific anesthetic considerations of both the cardiac and the neurologic diseases. The authors describe the anesthetic management of a patient with a meningioma in the posterior fossa requiring craniectomy and tumor decompression. She was also diagnosed with severe mitral regurgitation and moderate mitral stenosis.

Anesthetic considerations in a patient with severe aortic stenosis for craniotomy.

Severe aortic stenosis can pose a serious hazard for noncardiac surgery as patients with this condition have a high risk for developing perioperative cardiac complications. We describe the anesthetic management of a patient with a malignant brain tumor who was found to have severe aortic stenosis during preanesthetic evaluation. She underwent palliative balloon aortic valvuloplasty prior to surgery, and this combined with appropriate monitoring and drug therapy resulted in a satisfactory outcome. Adverse intraoperative events like hypotension and left ventricular failure occurred; however, these events were transient and responded to treatment.