Annales françaises d'anesthèsie et de rèanimation
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Functional neurosurgery procedures are long and specific. Cooperation of the patient may be necessary during surgery. ⋯ Since awakening during the procedure is generally planed, it has to be quick, reliable and of excellent quality. These requirements are fulfilled by the association of propofol by target-controlled infusion (TCI) and a continuous infusion of remifentanil.
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Craniosynostoses are a group of diseases, the presentation of which differs markedly on account of the cranial suture involved. Their impact is cosmetic, cerebral, and ophthalmologic. ⋯ This surgery requires a perfect collaboration between neurosurgeon, plastic surgeon, and anaesthesiologist. Surgical correction allows in large measures the preservation of intellect, sight, and body image.
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Ann Fr Anesth Reanim · Feb 2002
Review[Perioperative management of blood loss during surgical treatment for craniosynostosis].
Blood saving is the major challenge during the surgical repair of craniofacial deformities. Treated patients have a low reserve volume and the techniques available to lower homologous blood transfusions are limited or insufficiently evaluated in this particular case. The most important factor determining blood loss is the quality of the surgical haemostasis. ⋯ The haematocrit threshold allowing homologous blood transfusion should be set at 21%, provided that any other source of autologous blood is exhausted. Postoperative monitoring should also include precise evaluation of blood losses and haematocrit measurements. The 21% threshold should remain the reference during that period.
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Ann Fr Anesth Reanim · Feb 2002
Review[Anesthesia-resuscitation for intracranial expansive processes in children].
The most frequent space-occupying cerebral lesions in children are brain tumors, mostly posterior fossa tumors and haematoma resulting from arteriovenous malformation rupture. They result in intracranial hypertension, directly or by compression of the cerebrospinal fluid pathway resulting in hydrocephalus. Their localization and compressive effects are responsible for specific neurological deficits and general problems. ⋯ Surgical positioning is complex for these long lasting procedures and carries specific risks. The most common is venous air embolism in the sitting position that must be prevented by the use of specific measures. In the postoperative period, the risk of neurological and general complications commands close surveillance, fast track extubation must be adapted on an individual basis.
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The initial management of severely head-injured patients, including infants and children, is aimed at preventing and treating secondary brain damage, which mainly result from systemic insults (hypoxaemia, hypercarbia, arterial hypotension). Orotracheal intubation, followed by continuous sedation-analgesia, is mandatory when the Glasgow Coma Scale score (GCS) is less than or equal to 8 (crush induction is recommended). The goal of mechanical ventilation is to maintain normoxaemia and normocarbia. ⋯ However, it should be noted, that severe head trauma is frequently associated with extra-cranial traumatic injuries, which may be responsible for (avoidable) deaths if the diagnosis is not made or delayed. Therefore, infants and small children presenting with severe head trauma should be considered as multiple injured and treated accordingly. Adequate initial management of severely head-injured children may participate to improved neurological outcome.