Journal of neurosurgical anesthesiology
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J Neurosurg Anesthesiol · Jul 2010
The effect of sevoflurane on neuronal degeneration and GABAA subunit composition in a developing rat model of organotypic hippocampal slice cultures.
The GABA(A) receptor subunit composition undergoes a switch from a predominantly alpha2 to a predominantly alpha1 around postnatal day (PND) 7 in a rat pup. This developmental switch in the GABA(A) receptor subunit composition changes the kinetics and pharmacologic properties of the GABA(A) receptor. Using a developmental organotypic hippocampal slice model, we hypothesized that the developmental changes in the GABA(A) receptor subunit composition may promote neurodegeneration after exposure to sevoflurane. ⋯ This in vitro investigation supports an age-dependent and GABA(A) receptor subunit composition relationship between 2.0% sevoflurane exposure and cell death.
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J Neurosurg Anesthesiol · Jul 2010
Historical Article"Scalp block" during craniotomy: a classic technique revisited.
Local anesthesia of the nerves of the scalp is referred to as "scalp block." This technique was originally introduced more than a century ago, but has undergone a modern rebirth in intraoperative and postoperative anesthetic management. Here, we review the use of "scalp block" during craniotomy with its anatomic basis, historical evolution, current technique, potential advantages, and pitfalls. We also address its current and potential future applications.
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J Neurosurg Anesthesiol · Jul 2010
Accreditation and standardization of neuroanesthesia fellowship programs: results of a specialty-wide survey.
The question of accreditation and standardization of neuroanesthesia fellowship training programs in the U. S. has been discussed extensively within the field. Although numerous opinion pieces have been published, there are no data indicating the level of support or opposition for accreditation of subspecialty training among specialists in the field of neuroanesthesia. ⋯ Career development, neurocritical care, and intraoperative neuromonitoring were the top 3 subjects thought to be essential to a neuroanesthesia fellowship. The majority supported a 1-year fellowship training program. These data indicate measurable support among members of SNACC for a process toward the accreditation of neuroanesthesia fellowship training programs.
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Pain after craniotomy may be underdiagnosed, despite the fact that it can increase postoperative complications for example arterial hypertension and postoperative hemorrhage. This study investigates the incidence and intensity of pain after craniotomy and characterizes the influencing parameters. During a 1-year period 256 patients undergoing elective craniotomy were prospectively included in the study. Intensity of pain was evaluated 1, 4, and 24 hours after extubation using a verbal numerical rating scale (NRS) ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (maximal pain). Routine perioperative pain management was not influenced by the investigators. Parameters including patient-related factors, drug administration, and surgical factors were correlated with incidence and intensity of postcraniotomy pain. ⋯ logistic regression and chi using SPSS program (Windows, version 12.0). During the first 24 hours 87% of the patients experienced pain (NRS 1 to 3: 32%, NRS 4 to 7: 44%, NRS 8 to 10: 11%). For postoperative analgesia, the opioid piritramide (a mu-receptor agonist) was administered to 70% and nonopiod analgesics to 73% of the patients. The probability of experiencing postcraniotomy pain was reduced by 3% for each year of life. Maintenance of anesthesia with sevoflurane increased the probability of suffering from postcraniotomy pain by 147% and the absence of corticosteroids by 119%. Other investigated parameters did not influence pain after craniotomy. This study shows that pain is experienced by the majority of patients after craniotomy, despite conventional pain management, emphasizing the necessity for improved and individualized pain management in this special group of patients.