Neurosurgery
-
Function recovery is related to cortical plasticity. The brain remodeling patterns induced by alterations in peripheral nerve pathways with different nerve reconstructions are unknown. ⋯ Entorhinal cortex is a key brain area in recovery of limb function after nerve reconstruction. Nerve transfer related brain remodeling mainly involved contralateral sensorimotor areas, facilitating directional "shifting" of motor representation.
-
Meta Analysis
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials for Scalp Block in Craniotomy.
Scalp block is regional anesthetic injection along nerves innervating the cranium. Scalp blocks for craniotomy may decrease postoperative pain and opioid consumption. Benefits may extend beyond the anesthetic period. ⋯ Scalp block reduces postoperative pain at 2 through 48 hours and may reduce pain at 72 hours. Scalp block likely reduces opioid consumption within 24 hours and may reduce opioid consumption to 48 hours. The clinical utility of these differences should be interpreted within the context of modest absolute reductions, overall care optimization, and patient populations. This is the first level 1A evidence to evaluate scalp block efficacy in craniotomy.
-
Some patients suffering from intractable epileptic seizures, particularly drop attacks (DAs), are nonremediable by curative techniques. Palliative procedure carries a significant rate of surgical and neurological complications. ⋯ Gamma Knife callosotomy is safe and accurate with comparable efficacy to open callosotomy in this cohort of patients with intractable epilepsy suffering from severe drop attacks.
-
The optimal timing of cranioplasty (CP) and predictors of overall postoperative complications are still controversial. ⋯ Brain collapse and lower Karnofsky Performance Status score at the time of CP were independent predictors of overall complications after CP. The optimal timing of CP may be determined by tissue window based on brain collapse volume instead of time window based on the decompressive craniectomy-CP interval.
-
Postoperative hemorrhage is a rare but potentially serious complication after pituitary surgery. The risk factors for this complication are mostly unknown, and further knowledge would help guide postoperative management. ⋯ Larger tumor size and presentation with apoplexy were associated with clinically significant postoperative hemorrhage. Patients presenting with pituitary apoplexy are more likely to experience a significant postoperative hemorrhage and should be carefully monitored for headache and vision changes in the days after surgery.