Experience with "Fast track" postoperative care after deep brain stimulation surgery / Experiencia con el cuidado postoperatorio "Fast-Track" después de la cirugía de estimulación cerebral profunda

Background: A 24-h-stay in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) is a common postoperative procedure after deep brain stimulation surgery (DBS). Objective: We evaluated the impact of a fast-track (FT) postoperative care protocol. Methods: An analysis was performed on all patients who underwent DBS in 2 periods: 2006, overnight monitored care (OMC group), and 2007-2013, FT care (FT group). Results: The study included 19 patients in OMC and 95 patients in FT. Intraoperative complications occurred in 26.3% patients in OMC vs. 35.8% in FT. Post-operatively, one patient in OMC developed hemiparesis, and agitation in 2 patients. In FT, two patients with intraoperative hemiparesis were transferred to the ICU. While on the ward, 3 patients from the FT developed hemiparesis, two of them 48h after the procedure. Thirty eight percent of FT had an MRI scan, while the remaining 62% and all patients of OMC had a CT-scan performed on their transfer to the ward. One patient in OMC had a subthalamic hematoma. Two patients in FT had a pallidal hematoma, and 3 a bleeding along the electrode. Conclusions: A FT discharge protocol is a safe postoperative care after DBS. There are a small percentage of complications after DBS, which mainly occur within the first 6 h

Introducción: La estancia durante 24 h en una unidad de recuperación post-anestésica es una estrategia común de control post-operatorio después de la cirugía de estimulación cerebral profunda (DBS). Objetivo: Evaluamos el impacto de un protocolo Fast-track (FT) en el cuidado postoperatorio. Métodos: Analizamos todos los pacientes que se sometieron a cirugía DBS en 2 periodos: 2006, monitorización durante la noche (grupo OMC) y entre 2007 y 2013 (grupo FT). Resultados: Incluimos 19 pacientes en el grupo OMC y 95 pacientes en el FT. Se registraron incidentes intraoperatorios en el 26,3% de pacientes del grupo OMC vs. 35,8% del grupo FT. Postoperatoriamente, un paciente en el grupo OMC desarrollo hemiparesia y 2 pacientes agitación. En el grupo FT, 2 pacientes con hemiparesia intraoperatoria fueron trasladados a la UCI. Durante su ingreso en planta, 3 pacientes del grupo FT desarrollaron hemiparesia, 2 de ellos 48h después del procedimiento. Al 38% del FT se les realizó una resonancia, mientras que al 62% restante y a todos los pacientes del grupo OMC se les realizó un escáner antes del traslado a sala: un paciente del grupo OMC tuvo un hematoma subtalámico; 2 pacientes del grupo FT tuvieron un hematoma en el pálido y 3, sangrado en el trayecto del electrodo. Conclusiones: El protocolo FT es seguro después de la cirugía de DBS. Hay un pequeño porcentaje de complicaciones y la mayoría suceden en las primeras 6 h

Experience with "Fast track" postoperative care after deep brain stimulation surgery.

BACKGROUND: A 24-h-stay in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) is a common postoperative procedure after deep brain stimulation surgery (DBS). OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the impact of a fast-track (FT) postoperative care protocol. METHODS: An analysis was performed on all patients who underwent DBS in 2 periods: 2006, overnight monitored care (OMC group), and 2007-2013, FT care (FT group). RESULTS: The study included 19 patients in OMC and 95 patients in FT. Intraoperative complications occurred in 26.3% patients in OMC vs. 35.8% in FT. Post-operatively, one patient in OMC developed hemiparesis, and agitation in 2 patients. In FT, two patients with intraoperative hemiparesis were transferred to the ICU. While on the ward, 3 patients from the FT developed hemiparesis, two of them 48h after the procedure. Thirty eight percent of FT had an MRI scan, while the remaining 62% and all patients of OMC had a CT-scan performed on their transfer to the ward. One patient in OMC had a subthalamic hematoma. Two patients in FT had a pallidal hematoma, and 3 a bleeding along the electrode. CONCLUSIONS: A FT discharge protocol is a safe postoperative care after DBS. There are a small percentage of complications after DBS, which mainly occur within the first 6h.

Eficacia diagnóstica y manejo posoperatorio de los pacientes sometidos a biopsia cerebral en un hospital universitario / Diagnostic yield and postoperative management of patients submitted to brain biopsy in a university hospital

Objetivo: Determinar la eficacia diagnóstica y la incidencia de complicaciones perioperatorias en pacientes sometidos a biopsia cerebral cerrada o por craneotomía, y valorar la duración de la vigilancia intensiva, para el diagnóstico precoz y el manejo de las complicaciones posoperatorias. Material y método: Estudio observacional retrospectivo, incluyendo todos los pacientes sometidos a biopsia cerebral entre enero de 2006 y julio de 2012. Se recogieron los datos demográficos, enfermedad asociada, tipo de biopsia, datos relevantes del intraoperatorio, el resultado de la anatomía patológica, la realización de prueba de imagen cerebral y su resultado, y la presencia, tipo y momento de aparición de las complicaciones posoperatorias. Resultados: Se analizaron un total de 76 biopsias (51 «cerradas», 25 «abiertas») en 75 pacientes. La efectividad diagnóstica fue del 98% en las «cerradas» y del 96% en las «abiertas». La mortalidad relacionada con el procedimiento fue de 3,9 y 4%, respectivamente. La incidencia de complicaciones mayores fue del 3,9% en biopsias «cerradas» y del 8% en biopsias «abiertas», apareciendo la mitad de ellas dentro de las primeras 24 h del posoperatorio, durante el ingreso en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos. La edad fue el único factor de riesgo para la aparición de complicaciones (p = 0,04). No encontramos diferencias de morbimortalidad entre los 2 grupos analizados. Conclusiones: La eficacia diagnóstica de nuestra serie ha sido muy alta. Dada la importancia del diagnóstico precoz de las complicaciones, recomendamos una vigilancia monitorizada en las primeras 24 h tras la realización de una biopsia cerebral tanto «abierta» como «cerrada»

Objective: To assess the diagnostic yield and the incidence of perioperative complications in patients undergoing an open or closed cerebral biopsy and to determine the length of intensive care monitoring, for early diagnosis and fast management of perioperative complications. Material and method: This was a retrospective analysis of all the patients that underwent brain biopsy between January 2006 and July 2012. We recorded demographic data, comorbidities, modality of biopsy, intraoperative clinical data, histological results, computed tomography scanning findings and occurrence, and type of perioperative complications and moment of appearance. Results: Seventy-six brain biopsies in 75 consecutive patients (51 closed and 25 open) were analysed. Diagnostic yield was 98% for closed biopsies and 96% for open biopsies. Mortality related to the procedures was 3.9 and 4%, respectively. The incidence of major complications was 3.9% for closed biopsies and 8% for open biopsies; half of these appeared within the first 24 postoperative hours, during patient stay in the Intensive Care Unit. Age was the only risk factor for complications (P = .04) in our study. No differences in morbimortality were found between the studied groups. Conclusions: Diagnostic yield was very high in our series. Because the importance of early diagnosis of complications for preventing long-term sequelae, we recommend overnight hospital stay for observation after open or closed brain biopsy

[Diagnostic yield and postoperative management of patients submitted to brain biopsy in a university hospital]. / Eficacia diagnóstica y manejo posoperatorio de los pacientes sometidos a biopsia cerebral en un hospital universitario.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic yield and the incidence of perioperative complications in patients undergoing an open or closed cerebral biopsy and to determine the length of intensive care monitoring, for early diagnosis and fast management of perioperative complications. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This was a retrospective analysis of all the patients that underwent brain biopsy between January 2006 and July 2012. We recorded demographic data, comorbidities, modality of biopsy, intraoperative clinical data, histological results, computed tomography scanning findings and occurrence, and type of perioperative complications and moment of appearance. RESULTS: Seventy-six brain biopsies in 75 consecutive patients (51 closed and 25 open) were analysed. Diagnostic yield was 98% for closed biopsies and 96% for open biopsies. Mortality related to the procedures was 3.9 and 4%, respectively. The incidence of major complications was 3.9% for closed biopsies and 8% for open biopsies; half of these appeared within the first 24 postoperative hours, during patient stay in the Intensive Care Unit. Age was the only risk factor for complications (P=.04) in our study. No differences in morbimortality were found between the studied groups. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic yield was very high in our series. Because the importance of early diagnosis of complications for preventing long-term sequelae, we recommend overnight hospital stay for observation after open or closed brain biopsy.

[Detection of venous air embolism and patent foramen ovale in neurosurgery patients in sitting position]. / Detección de embolismo aéreo venoso y de foramen oval permeable en pacientes neuroquirúrgicos intervenidos en posición de sedestación.

INTRODUCTION: Early detection of venous air embolism (VAE) during neurosurgical procedures in sitting position decreases the severity of its complications. OBJECTIVES: our aim was to analyse the detection of VAE and its impact on patients operated in a sitting position, verify air aspiration through a central venous catheter and assess the feasibility of the routine use of transcranial Doppler (TCD) for intraoperative diagnosis of patent foramen ovale (PFO). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a prospective study of consecutive neurosurgical procedures performed in the sitting position for 5 years. Precordial Doppler and end-tidal carbon dioxide were the diagnostic methods for VAE. PFO was explored by TCD after anaesthetic induction. RESULTS: 136 patients were operated in the sitting position, 93 craniotomies and 43 cervical spine procedures. Twenty-two patients (16.2%) were diagnosed with VAE (21.5% of craniotomies and 4.7% of spinal surgeries; p=.013). In 59% of cases, air was aspirated through the central venous catheter. There was haemodynamic involvement in 3 patients, impaired oxygenation in 4 and clinically relevant pneumocephalus in 5 of them. Two patients (1.4%) were diagnosed with PFO, but did not present episodes of VAE or paradoxical air embolism. CONCLUSIONS: The series analysed confirmed a higher incidence of VAE in craniotomies than in cervical spine surgery in a sitting position. We were able to aspirate air through the central venous catheter in more than half the cases. No patients suffered critical intraoperative complications following our approach. The low incidence of PFO detected with TCD will imply a modification of our protocol performed on anaesthetised patients.