Journal of neurosurgery
-
Journal of neurosurgery · Dec 1997
Comparative StudySurgical reconstruction of the musculocutaneous nerve in traumatic brachial plexus injuries.
Over the last 16 years, 345 surgical reconstructions of the brachial plexus were performed using nerve grafting or neurotization techniques in the Neurosurgical Department at the Nordstadt Hospital, Hannover, Germany. Sixty-five patients underwent graft placement between the C-5 and C-6 root and the musculocutaneous nerve to restore the flexion of the arm. A retrospective study was conducted, including statistical evaluation of the following pre- and intraoperative parameters in 54 patients: 1) time interval between injury and surgery; 2) choice of the donor nerve (C-5 or C-6 root); and 3) length of the grafts used for repairs between the C-5 or C-6 root and the musculocutaneous nerve. ⋯ Comparison of the final outcome according to the root (C-5 or C-6) that was used for grafting the musculocutaneous nerve showed no statistical difference. Furthermore, statistical analysis (regression test) of the length of the grafts between the donor (C-5 or C-6 root) nerve and the musculocutaneous nerve displayed an inverse relationship between the graft length and the postoperative outcome. Together, these results provide additional information to enhance the functional outcome of brachial plexus surgery.
-
Journal of neurosurgery · Dec 1997
Comparative StudyTemporary occlusion of the middle cerebral artery in intracranial aneurysm surgery: time limitation and advantage of brain protection.
The risk of focal infarction secondary to the induced reversible arrest of local arterial flow during microsurgical dissection of middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms was evaluated further to define the optimal approach to temporary arterial occlusion. To compare the effectiveness of potential brain-protection anesthetics, a group of patients treated with the intravenous agents propofol, etomidate, and pentobarbital, administered individually or in combination, was compared to a group treated with the inhalational agent isoflurane. Forty-nine consecutive MCA aneurysm surgeries involving the temporary clipping of the parent vessel were retrospectively reviewed. ⋯ It is concluded that patients in whom focal iatrogenic ischemia is induced during MCA aneurysm clip ligation have a significant advantage compared with those receiving isoflurane when they are given pentobarbital as the primary neuroprotective agent or when they receive propofol or etomidate titrated to achieve electroencephalographic burst suppression, particularly if more than 10 minutes of occlusion time is required. It is also concluded that 10 minutes is a general guideline for safe, temporary occlusion of the MCA. The use of intermittent temporary arterial occlusion and its use in patients with multiple aneurysms need further evaluation before specific recommendations can be made.
-
Journal of neurosurgery · Dec 1997
Case ReportsSpinal cord stimulator activation by an antitheft device. Case report.
The authors present a case in which electrical injury to the central nervous system resulted from uncontrolled activation of a cervical spinal cord stimulation device by an antitheft device. The injury resulted in long-term neurological sequelae.
-
Journal of neurosurgery · Dec 1997
Comparative StudyIncidence of cerebral vasospasm after endovascular treatment of acutely ruptured aneurysms: report on 69 cases.
Cerebral vasospasm is the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in patients admitted to the hospital after suffering aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The early surgical removal of subarachnoid clots and irrigation of the basal cisterns have been reported to reduce the incidence of vasospasm. In contrast to surgery, the endovascular treatment of aneurysms does not allow removal of subarachnoid clots. ⋯ At 6-month clinical follow-up examination, 12 of these 16 patients experienced a good recovery, two were moderately disabled, and two patients had died of vasospasm. In conclusion, the 23% incidence of symptomatic vasospasm in this series compares favorably with that found in conventional surgical series of patients with acute aneurysmal SAH. These results indicate that endovascular therapy does not have an unfavorable impact on cerebral vasospasm.
-
Journal of neurosurgery · Dec 1997
Treatment of blunt injury to the carotid artery by using endovascular stents: an early experience.
Identification of blunt carotid injury prior to the development of ischemic symptoms requires aggressive screening of patients at risk. The treatment of these lesions has centered around long-term anticoagulation therapy. ⋯ The authors present a series of six patients who were successfully treated by means of endovascular stent placement for nonpenetrating carotid injuries. In the authors' experience this treatment requires only temporary anticoagulation therapy, results in immediate reconstruction of the injured vessel, obliterates pseudoaneurysms, and prevents distal embolization.