Hari Hara Dash

Intra-operative electrocorticography in lesional epilepsy

Intra-operative electrocorticography (ECoG) is useful in epilepsy surgery to delineate margins of epileptogenic zone, guide resection and evaluate completeness of resection in surgically remediable intractable epilepsies. The study evaluated 157 cases (2000-2008). The preoperative evaluation also included ictal SPECT (122) and PET in 32 cases. All were lesional cases, 51% (81) of patients had >1 seizure/day and another 1/3rd (51) had >1/week. Pre and post resection ECoG was performed in all cases. A total of 372 recordings were performed in 157 cases. Second post-operative recordings (42) and third post-operative recordings (16) were also performed. Site of recordings included lateral temporal (61), frontal (39), parietal (37), hippocampal (16) and occipital (4). 129/157 cases (82%) showing improvement on ECoG, 30/42 cases showed improvement in 2nd post resection, 8/16 showed improvement in the 3rd post-operative ECoG. 116/157 (73%) patients had good outcome (Engel I and II) at follow up (12-94 months, mean 18.2 months). Of these, 104 patients (80%) showed improvement on post-operative ECoG. 12 had good outcome despite no improvement on ECoG. The improvement in ECoG correlated significantly with clinical improvement [Sensitivity: 100% (95% CI; 96-100%); specificity: 68.3% (95% CI; 51.8-81.4%); positive predictive value: 89.9% (95% CI, 83.1-94.3%); negative predictive value: 100% (95% CI, 85-100%)]. The level of agreement was 91.72% (kappa: 0.76). Concluding, pre and post resection ECoG correlated with its grade of severity and clinical outcome.

Effect of prophylactic ondansetron on postoperative nausea and vomiting after elective craniotomy.

This prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of ondansetron, a 5-HT3 antagonist, in preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) after elective craniotomy in adult patients. The authors also tried to discover certain predictors for postcraniotomy nausea and vomiting. We studied 170 ASA physical status I and II patients, aged 15 to 70 years, undergoing elective craniotomy for resecting various intracranial tumors and vascular lesions. A standardized anesthesia technique and postoperative analgesia were used for all patients. Patients were divided into two groups and received either saline placebo (Group 1) or ondansetron 4 mg (Group 2) intravenously at the time of dural closure. Patients were extubated at the end of surgery and episodes of nausea and vomiting were noted for 24 hours postoperatively in the neurosurgical intensive care unit. Demographic data, duration of surgery, and anesthesia and analgesic requirements were comparable in both groups. Overall, a 24-hour incidence of postoperative emesis was significantly reduced in patients who received ondansetron compared with those who received a saline placebo (39% in Group 1 and 11% in Group 2, P = .001). There was a significant reduction in the frequency of emetic episodes and rescue antiemetic requirement in patients treated with ondansetron; however, ondansetron did not significantly reduce the incidence of nausea alone (14% in Group 2 vs 5% in Group 1, P = .065). Prophylactic ondansetron had a favorable influence on PONV outcome measures such as patient satisfaction and number needed to prevent emesis (3.5). Side effects were similar in both groups. We conclude that ondansetron 4 mg given at the time of dural closure is safe and effective in preventing emetic episodes after elective craniotomy in adult patients.

ST elevation - An indication of reversible neurogenic myocardial dysfunction in patients with head injury

This report describes a patient who presented with signs of meningitis four days after head injury. The patient had ST elevation on electrocardiography along with hypotension and positive tropinin T test, mimicking inferior wall infarction. The ST changes resolved within 48 hours of intensive care management. Subsequent investigations failed to document any myocardial infarction.

Bradycardia following hydrogen peroxide irrigation during posterior fossa surgery

References 1 Boukobza M, Guichard JP, Boissonet M, et al. Spinal epidural haematoma: report of 11 cases and review of the literature. Neuroradiology 1994; 36: 456–9. 2 Groen RJ, van Alphen HA. Operative treatment of spontaneous spinal epidural hematomas: a study of the factors determining postoperative outcome. Neurosurgery 1996; 39: 494–508. 3 Lawton MT, Porter RW, Heiserman JE, et al. Surgical management of spinal epidural hematoma: Relationship between surgical timing and neurological outcome. Journal of Neurosurgery 1995; 83: 1–7. 4 Cheng-Chih L, Shih-Tseng L, WenChin H, et al. Experience in the surgical management of spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma. Journal of Neurosurgery 2004; 100 (1 Suppl. Spine): 38–45.

Procedural sedation and analgesia in pediatric patients.

A spectrum of conditions requires sedation and analgesia in pediatric population. Ineffective treatment of pain may result in physiological and behavioral responses that can adversely affect the developing nociceptive system. The recognition of pain in children can be facilitated by different pain scales. This article reviews the procedural sedation and analgesia (PSA) practices in children along with pharmacology of the drugs used for this purpose.

Effect of intraoperative brain protection with propofol on postoperative cognition in patients undergoing temporary clipping during intracranial aneurysm surgery.

BACKGROUNDnCognitive dysfunction after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) has been attributable to presence of subarachnoid blood, hydrocephalus (HCP), cerebral edema, vasospasm, and temporary clipping of intracranial aneurysm. Provision of neuroprotection during temporary clipping may improve postoperative cognition in such patients.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnGood-grade aneurysmal SAH patients undergoing temporary clipping during surgery were allocated either to group C (control) or group P (propofol). Patients in group P received propofol in titrated doses to attain a burst suppression ratio of 75 ± 5% on bispectral index (BIS) monitor. The cognitive function as assessed by Hindi-language modification of mini-mental state examination (HMSE) score was evaluated preoperatively, 24 h after surgery, and at discharge from hospital. A score of ≤23 was indicative of cognitive dysfunction. Perioperative complications, duration of intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay, and outcome at discharge were noted.nnnRESULTSnA total of 66 patients (32 and 34 in group C and P respectively) were included in the study. 97% of the patients had anterior circulation aneurysms. At 24 h after surgery, eight and 12 patients in group C and P respectively; and at discharge, five patients in each group had cognitive dysfunction. In both groups, the trend showed a decline in cognition at 24 h followed by improvement at discharge. Glasgow outcome score in both the groups was comparable (P > 0.05). Intraoperative brain bulge, postoperative vasospasm, and cerebral infarction were found to be independent risk factors for cognitive dysfunction.nnnCONCLUSIONSnPharmacologic neuroprotection with propofol at the time of temporary clipping during surgery for aneurysmal SAH did not offer any advantage as far as preservation of cognition is concerned.

Hemodynamic and bispectral index changes following skull pin attachment with and without local anesthetic infiltration of the scalp

We studied the hemodynamic and bispectral index (BIS) changes in 44 patients undergoing cervical diskectomy with attachment of a Gardner-Wells tong (with two sharp conical pins) to the skull to facilitate intraoperative bone graft insertion. Patients were induced with fentanyl, thiopentone, and rocuronium and maintained with 66% nitrous oxide and 0.5% isoflurane, Before insertion of the pins, patients were randomly allocated to have either saline or lidocaine infiltration of the scalp at the proposed pin sites. Two minutes later, the pins were driven into the scalp. The BIS, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and heart rate (HR) were recorded before (baseline) and at 30, 60, 90, and 120u2009s after pin insertion. Data were compared with the baseline values and between the groups. A significant increase in MAP and HR occurred throughout the study period in the saline group. Skull pinning increased BIS throughout the study period in the saline group only, with maximal increases observed at 90 and 120u2009s (66.1 ± 6.3 at 90u2009s and 65.7 ± 6.4 at 120u2009s versus a baseline value of 62 ± 8, P < 0.001). The increase in BIS was significant in the saline group compared with the lidocaine group at each time point. In conclusion, increases in MAP, HR, and BIS produced by skull pinning were prevented by prior local anesthetic infiltration.

A retrospective analysis of perioperative complications during intracranial neuroendoscopic procedures: our institutional experience.

BACKGROUNDnNeuroendoscopic procedures are now being performed more frequently, and with advancement in technology, complications related to the procedure and equipments have also minimized or changed. We report our experience with 223 patients who underwent intracranial neuroendoscopic procedures.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnThe rates of various perioperative complications, both surgical and anesthesia related, during intracranial neuroendoscopic surgeries were studied. Data collected included demographics, patients medical history and any associated comorbid conditions, diagnosis, procedure performed, anesthetic management, intraoperative and postoperative complications and outcomes.nnnRESULTSnOf the 223 patients studied, 119 were pediatric (age <14 years) and 104 were adults. Hypothermia (25.1%) and cardiovascular complications (such as tachycardia 18.8%, bradycardia 11.3%, hypertension 16.1%, and hypotension 16.6%) were the commonly observed complications during intraoperative period both in pediatric and adult patients. At the end of the procedure, delayed arousal was observed in 17 patients and 19 patients required postoperative ventilatory support. Postoperative frequent complications included: fever (34.1%), tachycardia (32.7%), nausea and vomiting (18.8%). Potentially fatal complications such as intraoperative hemorrhage, air embolism, etc. were rare. Most of the complications were transient and self-limiting.nnnCONCLUSIONnAlthough endoscopic procedures are considered minimally invasive, at times may lead to life-threatening complications and one should be aware of them.

Research studies that have influenced practice of neuroanesthesiology in recent years: A literature review.

Through evolving research, recent years have witnessed remarkable achievements in neuromonitoring and neuroanesthetic techniques, with a huge body of literature consisting of excellent studies in neuroanaesthesiology. However, little of this work appears to be directly important to clinical practice. Many controversies still exist in care of patients with neurologic injury. This review discusses studies of great clinical importance carried out in the last five years, which have the potential of influencing our current clinical practice and also attempts to define areas in need of further research. Relevant literature was obtained through multiple sources that included professional websites, medical journals and textbooks using key words “neuroanaesthesiology,” “traumatic brain injury,” “aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage,” “carotid artery disease,” “brain protection,” “glycemic management” and “neurocritical care.” In head injured patients, administration of colloid and pre-hospital hypertonic saline resuscitation have not been found beneficial while use of multimodality monitoring, individualized optimal cerebral perfusion pressure therapy, tranexamic acid and decompressive craniectomy needs further evaluation. Studies are underway for establishing cerebroprotective potential of therapeutic hypothermia. Local anaesthesia provides better neurocognitive outcome in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy compared with general anaesthesia. In patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage, induced hypertension alone is currently recommended for treating suspected cerebral vasospasm in place of triple H therapy. Till date, nimodipine is the only drug with proven efficacy in preventing cerebral vasospasm. In neurocritically ill patients, intensive insulin therapy results in substantial increase in hypoglycemic episodes and mortality rate, with current emphasis on minimizing glucose variability. Results of ongoing multicentric trials are likely to further improvise our practice.

Comparison of intraoperative brain condition, hemodynamics and postoperative recovery between desflurane and sevoflurane in patients undergoing supratentorial craniotomy

Background: Post operative recovery has been reported to be faster with desflurane than sevoflurane anesthesia in previous studies. The use of desflurane is often criticized in neurosurgery due to the concerns of cerebral vasodilation and increase in ICP and studies comparing desflurane and sevoflurane in neurosurgey are scarce. So we compared the intraoperative brain condition, hemodynamics and postoperative recovery in patients undergoing elective supratentorial craniotomy receiving either desflurane or sevoflurane. Materials and Methods: Fifty three patients between 18-60yr undergoing elective supratentorial craniotomy receiving N 2 O and oxygen (60%:40%) and 0.8-1.2 MAC of either desflurane or sevoflurane were randomized to group S (Sevoflurane) or group D (Desflurane). Subdural intra cranial pressure (ICP) was measured and brain condition was assessed.. Emergence time, tracheal extubation time and recovery time were recorded. Cognitive behavior was evaluated with Short Orientation Memory Concentration Test (SOMCT) and neurological outcome (at the time of discharge) was assessed using Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS) between the two groups. Results: The emergence time [Group D 7.4 ± 2.7 minutes vs. Group S 7.8 ± 3.7 minutes; P = 0.65], extubation time [Group D 11.8 ± 2.8 minutes vs. Group S 12.9 ± 4.9 minutes; P = 0.28] and recovery time [Group D 16.4 ± 2.6 minutes vs. Group S 17.1 ± 4.8 minutes; P = 0.50] were comparable between the two groups. There was no difference in ICP [Group D; 9.1 ± 4.3 mmHg vs. Group S; 10.9 ± 4.2 mmHg; P = 0.14] and brain condition between the two groups. Both groups had similar post-operative complications, hospital and ICU stay and GOS. Conclusion: In patients undergoing elective supratentorial craniotomy both sevoflurane and desflurane had similar intra-operative brain condition, hemodynamics and post operative recovery profile.