Craniotomy For Brain Tumor Resection Research Articles

329 Same Day Discharge After Craniotomy for Brain Tumor Resection: Enhancing Patient Selection Through a Prognostic Scoring System

INTRODUCTION: Neurosurgery, among other surgical fields, is in the midst of a shift in patient management with enhanced recovery and same day discharge protocols slowly becoming more popular and feasible. While such protocols reduce risk of nosocomial complications and improve patient satisfaction, appropriate patient selection remains an area of debate. METHODS: Three arms of analysis were carried out. First, clinical data of SDD patients was prospectively collected between August 2021 and August 2022. In parallel, a retrospective analysis of patients who qualified for SDD but were excluded at surgeon clinical discretion over the same period was performed. Third, a comparative analysis of the pilot and follow-up studies was done from which a clinical scoring system for patient selection was derived. RESULTS: Over the length of the study, 31 of 334 patients were selected for SDD while 59 qualified by previously defined criteria but were not selected at the surgeon’s discretion. There was no difference in outcomes between the two groups nor any post-operative complications among the SDD group within 30 days of surgery. Preoperative clinical characteristics found to be significantly different between the two cohorts (Left sided lesion, extra-axial pathology, prior treatment of brain tumor, and tumor volume < 11.75 cm3) were included in a predictive scoring system for successful SDD. The system was found to significantly predict high or low likelihood for successful SDD when tested on the mixedprospective cohort. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a straightforward clinical scoring system for appropriate selection of candidates for SDD after craniotomy for brain tumor resection. The application of this clinical tool aims to aid clinicians in appropriate admission course selection and builds on the growing literature surrounding same-day and outpatient cranial neurosurgery.

Safety of the immediate use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs after adult craniotomy for tumor.

Poor pain control has a negative impact on postoperative recovery and patient satisfaction. However, overzealous pain management, particularly with opioids, can confound serial neurological assessments, increase morbidity, and predispose patients to long-term dependence. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are effective in treating postoperative pain and can limit opioid intake, but their use has been limited in patients undergoing craniotomy for brain tumor resection due to concerns of an increased hemorrhage risk. Herein, the authors aim to 1) address the safety of NSAID use in the immediate postoperative setting and 2) determine whether NSAID administration decreases opioid use following craniotomy for tumor resection in adult patients. The authors conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients 18 years and older with an estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥ 60 ml/min/body surface area who had undergone craniotomy for tumor resection at their institution between 2019 and 2021. NSAID use in the first 48 hours following surgery was recorded. Primary outcomes were postoperative hemorrhage requiring a return to the operating room before hospital discharge and within 30 days of surgery. Secondary outcomes were more-than-minimal hemorrhage that did not require reoperation, acute kidney injury, and total opioid use within 48 hours after craniotomy. Among 1765 reviewed patient records, 1182 were eligible for inclusion in this analysis. Amid these records were 114 patients (9.6%) who had received at least one dose of an NSAID within 48 hours of their craniotomy. Four (0.3%) patients experienced bleeding requiring a return to operating room, one of whom was from the NSAID-treated group (RR 3.12, 95% CI 0.33-29.77, p = 0.30). No significant difference in nonoperative intracranial hemorrhage (RR 1.34, 95% CI 0.54-3.35, p = 0.53), postoperative acute kidney injury, or clinically significant extracranial bleeding was found between the NSAID and no-NSAID groups. Patients in the NSAID group had significantly higher oral morphine equivalent use (median 68 vs 30, p < 0.001). Postoperative NSAID use following craniotomy for tumor resection was not associated with an increased risk of hemorrhage requiring a return to the operating room. The authors noted higher opioid use in the patients treated with NSAIDs, which may reflect underlying reasons for the decision to treat patients with NSAIDs in the immediate postoperative period. These data warrant further investigation of NSAIDs as a safe, opioid-sparing postoperative pain management strategy in patients with normal kidney function who are undergoing intracranial tumor resection.

Same-day discharge after craniotomy for brain tumor resection: enhancing patient selection through a prognostic scoring system.

Neurosurgery, among other surgical fields, is amid a shift in patient management with enhanced recovery and same-day discharge (SDD) protocols slowly becoming more popular and feasible. While such protocols reduce the risk of nosocomial complications and improve patient satisfaction, appropriate patient selection remains an area of debate. The authors aimed to better quantify selection criteria through a prospective follow-up study of patients undergoing brain tumor resection with SDD. Three arms of analysis were carried out. First, clinical data of SDD patients were prospectively collected between August 2021 and August 2022. In parallel, a retrospective analysis of patients who qualified for SDD but were excluded at surgeon clinical discretion over the same period was performed. Third, a comparative analysis of the pilot and follow-up studies was done from which a clinical scoring system for patient selection was derived. Over the duration of the study, 31 of 334 patients were selected for SDD while 59 qualified for SDD by previously defined criteria but were not selected at the surgeon's discretion. There was no difference in outcomes between the two groups, and there were no postoperative complications among the SDD group within 30 days of surgery. Preoperative clinical characteristics found to be significantly different between the two cohorts (left-sided lesion, extra-axial pathology, prior treatment of brain tumor, and tumor volume ≤ 11.75 cm3) were included in a predictive scoring system for successful SDD. The scoring system was found to significantly predict high or low likelihood for successful SDD when tested on the mixed prospective cohort. This study provides a straightforward clinical scoring system for appropriate selection of candidates for SDD after craniotomy for brain tumor resection. This clinical tool aims to aid clinicians in appropriate admission course selection and builds on the growing literature surrounding same-day and outpatient cranial neurosurgery.

Perioperative Care and Outcomes of Patients with Brain Tumors Undergoing Elective Craniotomy: Experience from an Ethiopian Tertiary-Care Hospital

To describe patients, perioperative care, and outcomes undergoing supratentorial and infratentorial craniotomy for brain tumor resection in a tertiary-care hospital in Ethiopia. A retrospective cohort study of patients consecutively admitted between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2021, was performed. We characterized patients, perioperative care, and outcomes. The final sample comprised 153 patients; 144 (94%) 18 years and over, females (n= 48, 55%) with primarily American Society of Anesthesiologists physical class II (n=97 (63.4%) who underwent supratentorial (n= 114, 75%), or infratentorial (n=39, 25%) tumor resection. Patients were routinely admitted (95%) to floor/wards before craniotomy; Inhaled anesthetic (isoflurane 88%/halothane 12%) was used for maintenance of general anesthesia, 3) Propofol (n=93, 61%; n=72), mannitol (n=73, 48%, n=54l), and cerebrospinal fluid drain (n=28, 18%, were used facilitate intraoperative brain relaxation, while the use of hyperventilation was rate (n=1). The average estimated blood loss was 1040+727 ml; 37 (24%) patients received tranexamic acid, and 57 (37%) received a blood transfusion. Factors associated with extubation were a) infratentorial tumor location: relative risk RR 0.45 (95% CI 0.29-0.69), preoperative hydrocephalus: RR 0.51, (95% CI 0.34-0.79), shorter total anesthesia duration: 277.8+8.8 vs. 426.77+13.1 minutes, p < 0.0001, lower estimated blood loss: 897+68 ml vs. 1361.7+100 ml, p=0.0002, and CSF drainage to facilitate brain relaxation: RR 0.52, 95% CI 0.32-0.84). Approximately one in ten patients experienced postoperative obstructive hydrocephalus, surgical site infections, or pneumonia. These findings suggest that certain factors may impact patient outcomes following craniotomy for tumor resection. By identifying these factors, healthcare providers may be better equipped to develop individualized treatment plans and improve patient outcomes. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of postoperative monitoring and management to prevent complications.

Preoperative hematocrit levels and postoperative mortality in patients undergoing craniotomy for brain tumors.

Abnormal hematocrit values, including anemia and polycythemia, are common in patients undergoing craniotomy, but the extent to which preoperative anemia or polycythemia independently increases the risk of mortality is unclear. This retrospective cohort study aimed to examine the association between preoperative anemia and polycythemia and postoperative mortality in patients who underwent craniotomy for brain tumor resection. We retrospectively analyzed data from 12,170 patients diagnosed with a brain tumor who underwent cranial surgery at West China Hospital between January 2011 and March 2021. The preoperative hematocrit value was defined as the last hematocrit value within 7 days before the operation, and patients were grouped according to the severity of their anemia or polycythemia. We assessed the primary outcome of 30-day postoperative mortality using logistic regression analysis adjusted for potential confounding factors. Multivariable logistic regression analysis reported that the 30-day mortality risk was raised with increasing severity of both anemia and polycythemia. Odds ratios for mild, moderate, and severe anemia were 1.12 (95% CI: 0.79-1.60), 1.66 (95% CI: 1.06-2.58), and 2.24 (95% CI: 0.99-5.06), respectively. Odds ratios for mild, moderate, and severe polycythemia were 1.40 (95% CI: 0.95-2.07), 2.81 (95% CI: 1.32-5.99), and 14.32 (95% CI: 3.84-53.44), respectively. This study demonstrated that moderate to severe anemia and polycythemia are independently associated with increased postoperative mortality in patients undergoing craniotomy for brain tumor resection. These findings underscore the importance of identifying and managing abnormal hematocrit values before craniotomy surgery.

Intraoperative Seizures During Awake Craniotomy for Brain Tumor Resection.

Background Intra-operative seizures (IOS) can occur during awake craniotomies (AC) for brain tumors. They can potentially result in an increased risk of morbidity; however, literature is scarce on IOS, its risk factors, and predictors. This study aims to ascertain the frequency of IOS in patients undergoing AC and determine possible IOS predictors. Methods In this retrospective study, we reviewed the records of all patients who underwent AC for tumor resection at a single university hospital between January 2016 and December 2020. IOS was defined as any seizure, including partial or generalized, experienced by any patient at any time from the beginning of the procedure till the end of surgery. Results Two hundred patients underwent AC during the study period. Seven (3.5%) patients experienced IOS. Compared to the non-seizure group, no significant correlation existed with any demographic variable. No significant difference was seen between the initial complaints presented by the two groups. In addition, the post-operative course of the seizure group did not significantly differ from the non-seizure group. Due to the low frequency of IOS in our cohort, an extensive analysis to determine predictors could not be performed. Conclusion In this study, we observed a low frequency of IOS (3.5%) during AC. The possible predictors and risk factors must be further investigated in large cohorts; to help limit the consequences of this possible intraoperative complication.

Surgical site infections after elective craniotomy for brain tumor: a study on potential risk factors and related treatments

BackgroundSurgical site infection (SSI) is a common complication following craniotomy that increases morbidity, mortality, and medical expenses. The objectives of this study were to determine the relevant risk factors associated with SSI after elective craniotomy for brain tumor and analyse the treatments for SSI.MethodsA retrospective nested case‒control study was conducted using data from patients who underwent craniotomy for brain tumor resection at the Neurosurgical Oncology Department No. 6 of Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, between January 2019 and December 2021. Risk factors for SSI were determined using multivariate logistic regression analysis. We analyzed microbiological and related treatment data for different SSI types.ResultsAmong 2061 patients who underwent craniotomy for brain tumor, 31 had SSI (1.50%). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, body mass index (BMI) and operative duration were identified as independent risk factors for SSI. The most common microorganism isolated from SSIs was Staphylococcus epidermidis (22.9%), and drug sensitivity results showed that gram-positive bacteria were sensitive to linezolid, vancomycin and tigecycline, whereas gram-negative bacteria were sensitive to meropenem, cefepime and ceftazidime. Six of the seven patients who underwent bone flap removal due to osteomyelitis were infected with gram-negative bacteria.ConclusionsBMI and operative duration were identified as independent risk factors for SSI. Diabetes mellitus, previous ratio therapy, type of incision, recurrence tumor and other risk factors were not found to be associated with the occurrence of SSI in this study.

Obesity Paradox for Postoperative Mortality in Young Chinese Patients Undergoing Craniotomy for Brain Tumor Resection.

There is little evidence regarding the association of body mass index (BMI) with postoperative mortality after craniotomy, especially in the Asian population. Our study aimed to explore the association between BMI and postoperative 30-day mortality in Chinese patients undergoing craniotomy for brain tumor resection. This large retrospective cohort study, Supplemental Digital Content 9, http://links.lww.com/JNA/A634 collected data from 7519 patients who underwent craniotomy for brain tumor resection. On the basis of the World Health Organization obesity criteria for Asians, included patients were categorized as underweight (<18.5kg/m2), normal weight (18.5 to 22.9kg/m2), overweight (23to 24.9kg/m2), obese I (25 to 29.9kg/m2), and obese II (≥30kg/m2). We used a multivariable logistic regression model to explore the association between different BMI categories and 30-day postoperative mortality. In addition, we also conducted stratified analyses based on age and sex. Overweight (adjusted odds ratio 0.63, 95% CI 0.40-0.99) and obese I (adjusted odds ratio 0.44, 95% CI 0.28-0.72) were associated with decreased 30-day postoperative mortality compared with normal-weight counterparts. Such associations were prominent among younger (age younger than 65 y) patients but not older patients, and there was an interaction between age and overweight versus normal weight on mortality (P for interaction=0.04). We found that among Chinese patients undergoing craniotomy for brain tumors, there was a J-shaped association between BMI and postoperative 30-day mortality, with lowest mortality at 27kg/m². Moreover, in young patients, overweight and obese I were both associated with decreased risk of 30-day mortality.

Pediatric patients with malignant brain tumor treated at children's hospitals: association with fewer unplanned readmissions.

Pediatric primary brain tumors are the leading cause of death among childhood cancers. Guidelines recommend specialized care with a multidisciplinary team and focused treatment protocols to optimize outcomes in this patient population. Furthermore, readmission is a key metric of patient outcomes and has been used to inform reimbursement. However, no prior study has analyzed national database-level records to evaluate the role of care in a designated children's hospital following pediatric tumor resection and its impact on readmission rates. The goal of this study was to investigate whether treatment at a children's hospital rather than a nonchildren's hospital has a significant effect on outcome. The Nationwide Readmissions Database records from 2010 to 2018 were analyzed retrospectively to evaluate the effect of hospital designation on patient outcomes after craniotomy for brain tumor resection, and results are reported as national estimates. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses of patient and hospital characteristics were conducted to evaluate if craniotomy for tumor resection at a designated children's hospital was independently associated with 30-day readmissions, mortality rate, and length of stay. A total of 4003 patients who underwent craniotomy for tumor resection were identified using the Nationwide Readmissions Database, with 1258 of these cases (31.4%) treated at children's hospitals. Patients treated at children's hospitals were associated with decreased likelihood of 30-day hospital readmission (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.48-0.97, p = 0.036) compared to patients treated at nonchildren's hospitals. There was no significant difference in index mortality between patients treated at children's hospitals and those treated at nonchildren's hospitals. The authors found that patients undergoing craniotomy for tumor resection at children's hospitals were associated with decreased rates of 30-day readmission, with no significant difference in index mortality. Future prospective studies may be warranted to confirm this association and identify components contributing to improved outcomes in care at children's hospitals.

A robust motion correction technique for infrared thermography during awake craniotomy

PurposeIntraoperative infrared thermography is an emerging technique for image-guided neurosurgery, whereby physiological and pathological processes result in temperature changes over space and time. However, motion during data collection leads to downstream artifacts in thermography analyses. We develop a fast, robust technique for motion estimation and correction as a preprocessing step for brain surface thermography recordings.MethodsA motion correction technique for thermography was developed which approximates the deformation field associated with motion as a grid of two-dimensional bilinear splines (Bispline registration), and a regularization function was designed to constrain motion to biomechanically feasible solutions. The performance of the proposed Bispline registration technique was compared to phase correlation, a band-stop filter, demons registration, and the Horn–Schunck and Lucas–Kanade optical flow techniques.ResultsAll methods were analyzed using thermography data from ten patients undergoing awake craniotomy for brain tumor resection, and performance was compared using image quality metrics. The proposed method had the lowest mean-squared error and the highest peak-signal-to-noise ratio of all methods tested and performed slightly worse than phase correlation and Demons registration on the structural similarity index metric (p < 0.01, Wilcoxon signed-rank test). Band-stop filtering and the Lucas–Kanade method were not strong attenuators of motion, while the Horn–Schunck method was well-performing initially but weakened over time.ConclusionBispline registration had the most consistently strong performance out of all the techniques tested. It is relatively fast for a nonrigid motion correction technique, capable of processing ten frames per second, and could be a viable option for real-time use. Constraining the deformation cost function through regularization and interpolation appears sufficient for fast, monomodal motion correction of thermal data during awake craniotomy.

Prediction of Early Postoperative Language Function by Quantitative Evaluation with Visual and Auditory Naming Tasks during Awake Craniotomy for Brain Tumor Resection: Significance of Auditory Naming Task.

Language tasks for monitoring intraoperative language symptoms have not yet been established. This study aimed to examine whether the quantitative evaluation of language function with visual and auditory naming during awake craniotomy predicts early postoperative language function in patients. Thirty-seven patients with brain tumors in the language-dominant hemisphere were included. They underwent visual and auditory naming preoperatively and at the end of tumor resection for intraoperative evaluation. Using the Western Aphasia Battery, their overall language functions were evaluated preoperatively, early postoperatively (within 1 week), and late postoperatively (after 1 month). The preoperative and intraoperative changes in the visual and auditory naming scores were significantly correlated with most of the Western Aphasia Battery score changes between the preoperative and early postoperative evaluations, which was more remarkable for auditory naming. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that changes in the auditory naming score predicted the preoperative to early postoperative changes in the aphasia quotient of the Western Aphasia Battery. Receiver operating characteristics analysis showed a higher area under the curve or discriminative power for auditory than visual naming in predicting the development or exacerbation of aphasia in the early postoperative period. Considering the analyses applied separately for low- and high-grade glioma, auditory naming, which taps into a wider range of linguistic functions, may be more informative than visual naming as language evaluation in awake craniotomy for the early postoperative development of aphasia, especially for patients with high-grade glioma.

Frailty predicts hospital acquired infections after brain tumor resection: Analysis of 27,947 patients’ data from a prospective multicenter surgical registry.

BackgroundHospital acquired infections (HAIs) present a significant source of economic burden in the United States. The role of frailty as a predictor of HAIs has not been illustrated among patients undergoing craniotomy for brain tumor resection (BTR). MethodsThe American College of Surgery National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database was queried from 2015 to 2019 to identify patients who underwent craniotomy for BTR. Patients were categorized as pre-frail, frail and severely frail using the 5-factor Modified Frailty Index (mFI-5). Demographics, clinical and laboratory parameters, and HAIs were assessed. A multivariate logistic regression model was created to predict the occurrence of HAIs using these variables. ResultsA total of 27,947 patients were assessed. 1772 (6.3 %) of these patients developed an HAI after surgery. Severely frail patients were more likely to develop an HAI in comparison to pre-frail patients (OR = 2.48, 95 % CI = 1.65–3.74, p < 0.001 vs. OR = 1.43, 95 % CI = 1.18–1.72, p < 0.001). Ventilator dependence was the strongest predictor of developing an HAI (OR = 2.96, 95 % CI = 1.86–4.71, p < 0.001). ConclusionBaseline frailty, by virtue of its ability to predict HAIs, should be utilized in adopting measures to reduce the incidence of HAIs.

Weathering the storm: a single-institution experience with paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity after brain tumor resection in pediatric patients.

Paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity (PSH) is a complication of severe traumatic or hypoxic brain injury characterized by transient episodes of tachycardia, tachypnea, hypertension, hyperthermia, diaphoresis, and/or dystonic posturing. Posttraumatic "sympathetic storms" are associated with poor outcomes. PSH rarely occurs after brain tumor resection in pediatric patients; only 4 cases have been published since 1929. Thus, the authors sought to report their experience with postcraniotomy PSH in pediatric brain tumor patients. A retrospective study of patients younger than 18 years of age who underwent craniotomy for brain tumor resection at a single center by a single surgeon over a 7-year period was performed. A clinical diagnosis of postoperative PSH was recorded. Recorded outcomes included the interval between surgery and initiation of cytotoxic therapy, need for long-term CSF diversion, length of hospital stay, and survival. Of the 150 patients who were included for analysis, 4 patients were diagnosed with postoperative PSH for an overall occurrence of 2.7%. PSH patients were younger than non-PSH patients (1.8 ± 0.4 years vs 9.2 ± 5.3 years, p = 0.010) and tended to have intraventricular tumors close to the thalamus, basal ganglia, and/or brainstem. PSH patients experienced longer hospital admissions (44.3 ± 23.4 days vs 6.8 ± 9.4 days, p = 0.001), a shorter interval between surgery and initiation of cytotoxic cancer-directed therapy (14.3 ± 8.0 days vs 90.7 days ± 232.9 days, p = 0.011), and increased need for long-term CSF diversion compared with non-PSH patients (75% vs 25%, p = 0.005). At the last follow-up, 50% of PSH patients had died compared with 13% of non-PSH patients (p = 0.094). PSH is a rare postoperative complication that may affect young children with periventricular tumors and is associated with poorer clinical outcomes. Increasing awareness of this condition is vital to improving patient outcomes.

Risk factors of intraoperative blood transfusion in pediatric craniotomy for intracranial tumor resection: a 10-year analysis.

A pediatric craniotomy for intracranial tumor removal brings both high bleeding and blood transfusion risks. The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for intraoperative blood transfusion in this procedure. The secondary outcome was to investigate postoperative complications and clinical outcomes related to blood transfusion. A retrospective analysis was performed among children who underwent a craniotomy for brain tumor resection at a tertiary hospital over a 10-year period. The pre- and intraoperative variables were examined and compared between the transfusion and nontransfusion groups. One hundred seventy-two patients (58%) received intraoperative blood transfusions among a total of 295 craniotomies in 284 children. Factors associated with blood transfusion were body weight ≤ 20 kg (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 5.286, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.892-9.661; p < 0.001), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status III-IV (AOR 6.860, 95% CI 1.434-32.811; p = 0.016), preoperative hemoglobin ≤ 11 g/dl (AOR 3.610, 95% CI 1.406-9.265; p = 0.008), tumor size ≥ 45 mm (AOR 2.117, 95% CI 1.214-3.693; p = 0.008), and duration of operation ≥ 6 hours (AOR 3.816, 95% CI 1.736-8.385; p = 0.001). Postoperative infection of other systems, other complications, duration of mechanical ventilation, and intensive care unit and hospital length of stay were found to be significantly higher in the transfusion group. Lower body weight, higher ASA physical status, preoperative anemia, large tumor size, and prolonged duration of surgery were found to be significant factors for predicting intraoperative blood transfusion in pediatric craniotomy. The identification and modification of risks from intraoperative blood transfusion can be beneficial in reducing the probability of transfusion and improving allocation efficiency of limited blood component resources.

Safety of craniotomy for brain tumor resection in octogenarians and older patients – a matched - cohort analysis

Introduction The incidence of brain tumors has increased in elderly population overtime. Their eligibility to a major surgery remains a questionable subject. This study evaluated prognostic factors and 30-days morbidity and mortality in octogenarian population who underwent craniotomy for resection of brain tumor. Materials and methods A total of 154 patients were divided into two different groups: patients above 80 years old and patients below 65 years old. In both groups, patients were stratified based on diagnosis with benign tumors [meningioma] and malignant tumors [high-grade gliomas and metastases]. Multivariable logistic regression model with backward elimination method was utilized to identify the independent risk factors for 30-days readmission and post-operative complications. Results The analysis revealed no significant difference in 30-day readmission (p = 0.7329), 30-day mortality (0.6854) or in post-operative complication (p = 0.3291) between age ≥ 80 and age ≤ 65 groups. A longer length of stay (LOS) was observed in the older patients (p = 0.0479). There was a significant difference in the pre-post KPS between the two groups (p < 0.0001). ASA (p = 0.0315) and KPS (p = 0.071) were found as important prognostic factors associated with post-operative mortality in both groups. Conclusion Octogenarians can withstand craniotomy without any significant increase in 30-day readmission, 30-day mortality and post-operative complications as compared to patients younger than age 65. The ASA score (>3) and/or KPS (<70) were the most important prognostic factors for 30-days readmission and mortality.

Clinical Effects and Adverse Events Associated With Desflurane Use in Adult Patients Undergoing Supratentorial Craniotomy: A Systematic Review.

Desflurane is an inhalational anesthetic agent with an appealing recovery profile. The present systematic review investigates the clinical effects and adverse events associated with desflurane use during supratentorial craniotomy for brain tumor resection in adults in comparison with other inhalational and intravenous anesthetic agents. A literature search was conducted across the MEDLINE, Library of Congress and LISTA (EBSCO) databases from January 2001 to January 2021. Twelve studies published between 2003 and 2020 were included in this systematic review. Desflurane was compared with either isoflurane, sevoflurane, or propofol for anesthesia maintenance. Brain relaxation scores showed no statistically significant difference between desflurane and the other anesthetic agents. Recovery timepoints, such as time to recovery, time to eye opening, time to extubation, time to follow commands, and time to reach a modified Aldrete score ≥9 were significantly shorter with desflurane in the majority of studies. Systemic hemodynamic variables (mean arterial pressure and heart rate) and cerebral hemodynamics (intracranial pressure and cerebrospinal fluid pressure) were comparable between desflurane and other anesthetic agents in each study. The results of this systematic review demonstrate that desflurane is associated with few adverse events when used for anesthesia maintenance in adult patients undergoing supratentorial brain tumor surgery. Large, prospective, comprehensive studies, utilizing standardized parameter evaluation could provide higher levels of evidence to support these findings.

QLTI-15. VENOUS SINUS THROMBOSIS AFTER BRAIN TUMOR RESECTION

Abstract Post-operative venous sinus thrombosis (POVST) is an uncommon complication from a craniotomy for brain tumor resection. There are few data in how to treat POVST, including the use of anticoagulation and follow-up. It has been found that POVST is more common in dural-based lesions especially located on or near a sinus, however treatment has not been standardized. We retrospectively reviewed our POVST cases between January 2018 to December 2020 for brain tumor resection, whether we chose to start anticoagulation or not, and the eventual outcome. We also performed a literature review on the topic to compare findings and management. We identified 14 cases of POVST; 8 of the cases were for extra-axial masses. Of the 14, 6 POVST had clot involving the superior sagittal sinus (SSS), with 3 being discharged with a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) and one being discharged on warfarin. With transverse sinus involvement, 6 cases were noted (with no SSS clot), with 2 started on a DOAC and 2 being started on ASA 81mg. In the sigmoid sinus there were 2 cases and did not receive anticoagulation. Of the 14 total cases, 1 was symptomatic (new-onset seizures) necessitating surgical recanalization and no other cases had symptoms attributed to the POVST. Two patients died from unrelated reasons prior to receiving any outpatient imaging, and all other patients had recanalization of their involved sinuses within 2-5 months. There were no complications in patients receiving anticoagulation. Our literature review didn't show a standardized method in POVST treatment. There is also disagreement in what anticoagulation should be used, and if it is necessary. Based on our retrospective analysis and literature review, if the clot is symptomatic, involves the SSS, or propagates, we recommend anticoagulation. Outside the SSS, it should be determined on a case-by-case basis, but anticoagulation may not be necessary.

Patient-reported intraoperative experiences during awake craniotomy for brain tumors: a scoping review.

Awake craniotomy (AC) is a neurosurgical procedure that may be used to excise tumors located in eloquent areas of the brain. The techniques and outcomes of AC have been extensively described, but data on patient-reported experiences are not as well known. Todetermine these, weperformed a scoping review of patient-reported intraoperative experiences during awake craniotomy for brain tumor resection. A total of 21 articles describing 534 patients were included in the review. Majority of the studies were performed on adult patients and utilized questionnaires and interviews. Some used additional qualitative methodology such as grounded theory and phenomenology. Most of the evaluation was performed within the first 2weeks post-operatively. Recollection of the procedure ranged from 0 to 100%, and most memories dealt with the cranial fixation device application, cranial drilling, and intraoperative mapping. All patients reported some degree of pain and discomfort, mainly due to the cranial fixation device and uncomfortable operative position. Most patients were satisfied with their AC experience. They felt that participating in AC gave them a sense of control over their disease and thought that trust in the treatment team and adequate pre-operative preparation were very important. Patients who underwent AC for brain tumor resection had both positive and negative experiences intraoperatively, but overall, majority had a positive perception of and high levels of satisfaction with AC. Successful AC depends not only on a well-conducted intraoperative course, but also on adequate pre-operative information and patient preparation.

Awake craniotomy for brain tumor resection: Patient experience and acceptance in an Asian population.

Awake craniotomy is well-established for resection of brain tumor in the eloquent areas. Previous studies from Western countries have reported good level of patient tolerance and acceptance. However, its acceptability in non-Western populations, with different ethnic, social, cultural, religious, and linguistic backgrounds, has not been studied systematically. This study aims to evaluate the experience of patients from an Asian population who underwent awake craniotomy for tumor resection. Data on patient experience were collected by interviewing patients using a structured questionnaire at follow-up appointment. Data on patient demographics and diagnosis were collected from medical records. Eighteen patients (age 16-68 years) who underwent 20 awake craniotomies were recruited. Preoperatively, all (100%) patients understood the indication for awake craniotomy. Almost all felt fully counseled by the neurosurgeon (90%), anesthetist (100%), and neuropsychologist (95%). Ninety-five percent reported their family to be supportive of awake craniotomy. Seventy-five percent felt adequately prepared on operation day. Intraoperatively, most patients did not experience pain/discomfort (55%) or anxiety (65%). Nearly all found intraoperative motor and language testing to be easy (100% and 90%, respectively). Postoperatively, 100% were satisfied with their care. One hundred percent rated their overall experience as good or excellent. Eighty percent were willing to undergo awake craniotomy again if indicated. Awake craniotomy is well-accepted in an Asian population. All patients had good-to-excellent overall experience, with most willing to undergo awake craniotomy again. Our findings underscore the generalizability of awake craniotomy across different socio-cultural backgrounds and support its utilization in countries with a significant Asian population.

Surgical Treatment of Radiation-Induced Late-Onset Scalp Wound in Patients Who Underwent Brain Tumor Surgery: Lessons from a Case Series.

Objective The management of late-onset scalp wounds following irradiation is troublesome, especially in patients with a surgical history of intracranial neoplasms. It, insidiously, starts with wound dehiscence or discharge and never heals spontaneously without appropriate surgical treatment. Nevertheless, definite treatment guidelines have not yet been established. Here, we present our clinical experience with radiation-induced scalp wounds and suggest a surgical principle for their treatment. Patients and Methods. The medical records of 13 patients with brain tumors, who were treated for intractable scalp wounds after irradiation between January 2000 and August 2015, were retrospectively reviewed. All the patients underwent a craniotomy for brain tumor resection. Surgical treatment for a late-onset scalp wound was decided based on the “reconstructive ladder” and according to the status of bone flap and scalp tissue. The patients' clinical characteristics and information regarding irradiation, surgery, and postoperative complications were recorded. Results Scalp wounds developed 4.4 years, on average, after the completion of irradiation. Revision operations were performed an average of 2.3 times, and 6 patients (46%) required more than 2 operations. The bone flap was removed in 11 patients (84.6%) to achieve complete wound healing. Among them, 3 patients underwent a cranioplasty using artificial materials, but 2 patients underwent removal due to recurrent wound problems. Conclusions Postirradiation scalp wounds are difficult to treat and have a high risk of recurrence. If osteoradionecrosis is suspected, the bone flap should be removed. It is important to debride unhealthy tissues aggressively and cover defects with robust tissue.