Craniotomy for intracranial vascular malformations

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Craniotomy for intracranial vascular malformations
Anesthesia type

General

Airway

ETT

Lines and access

Large bore IV x2 Arterial line ± Central line (if arterial nidus)

Monitors

Standard 5-lead ECG Core temp UOP ABG ± CVP (if arterial nidus) Neuromonitoring

Primary anesthetic considerations
Preoperative

Characterize neurologic deficits

Intraoperative

Smooth induction Hemodynamic goals vary Hypotension ↑ risk of steal If arterial nidus:

  • Hypertension ↑ risk of rupture
  • Have adenosine available
  • Decrease CRMO2
Postoperative

Avoid hypertension after excision (risk of hyperemia)

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A craniotomy for intracranial vascular malformations is a neurosurgical procedure performed to remove vascular malformations which are considered high risk for rupture or produce neurologic symptoms.

Overview

Background

  • Intracranial vascular malformations are congenital defects
  • Typically present in young adulthood (most commonly 15-40 years old)
  • Wide anatomic variability[1]
    • High-flow arteriovenous malformations (AVM)
    • Low-flow angiographically occult vascular malformations (AOVM)
      • Cavernous malformations
      • "Cryptic" AVMs
      • Capillary telangiectasias
      • Transitional malformations
    • Low-flow venous angiomas
  • Patients may be symptomatic or asymptomatic
  • AVM may have be ruptured or unruptured and can be associated with vasospasm. Can also co exist with aneurysms. Most patients will have anesthesia for preoperative embolization of the AVM.

Indications

  • The Spetzler-Martin AVM grading system estimates morbidity and mortality of surgery[2]

Surgical procedure

Preoperative management

Patient evaluation

System Considerations
Airway
Neurologic Neurologic symptoms and mental status
Cardiovascular
Pulmonary
Gastrointestinal
Hematologic
Renal
Endocrine
Other

Labs and studies

Operating room setup

Patient preparation and premedication

Regional and neuraxial techniques

Intraoperative management

Overall Goals

Goals are to provide a stable hemodynamic anesthetic along with reducing/normalizing the ICP and maintaining adequate CPP (at least 70 mmHg) to prevent cerebral ischemia from brain retraction, brain swelling and vasospasm. Perioperative AVM rupture from hypertension is possible, but rare. However, in case of a coexisting aneurysm, hypertension must be avoided.

Monitoring and access

Standard ASA

5-lead ECG

Core temp

UOP

Arterial line

2-3 large bore IVs

Central line if poor peripherals access

Neuromonitoring

Induction and airway management

  • Stable induction of general anesthesia and intubation with fentanyl, propofol, rocuronium, and +/- vasoactive agents to avoid hypo- and hypertension. Typically MAP >65 and SBP <140, however surgical team preferences can vary.
  • Moderate hyperventilation (PaCO2 30 mmHg)
  • Maintain euvolemia
  • Check that blood is available in the OR
  • For EEG burst suppression administer additional propofol boluses (50 mg) till burst suppression is achieved. Administer additional propofol boluses as needed to maintain burst suppression (communicate with neurophysiologists).
  • Typically postoperative hypertension is avoided to minimize bleeding from a coexisting aneurysm or residual AVM, as well as to avoid postoperative hyperemia. Consider prophylactic use of labetalol to attenuate emergence hypertension.

Maintenance and surgical considerations

Patients typically receive Cefazolin, 10 mg of decadron and 1 gm/kg of mannitol on skin incision (verify all with surgeon). Keppra 1g may also be utilized

Anesthesia can be maintained safely with many different medications, and can be guided primarily by other coexisting conditions.

  • An isoflurane/N2O technique offers hemodynamic stability and quick wake up test if needed. This benefit is offset by increased risk of PONV and possibility for N2O closed space expansion.
  • TIVA is a reasonable option however it may not allow for a rapid wake up test if needed
  • Inhalational and intravenous combination may optimize rapid emergence if needed.
  • One example could be propofol infusion (approximately 50mcg/kg/min), remifentanil infusion, vecuronium infusion, and sevoflurane

Emergence

Potential complications

Perioperative bleeding from AVM, cerebral ischemia from brain swelling, retractor pressure, inadequate CPP (increased ICP, vasospasm), postoperative intracranial hemorrhage, postoperative brain edema.

Postoperative management

Disposition

Neuro Critical Care Unit

Procedure variants

Variant 1 Variant 2
Unique considerations
Position
Surgical time
EBL
Postoperative disposition
Pain management
Potential complications

References

  1. Anesthesiologist's manual of surgical procedures. Richard A. Jaffe, Clifford A. Schmiesing, Brenda Golianu (6 ed.). Philadelphia. 2020. ISBN 978-1-4698-2916-6. OCLC 1117874404.CS1 maint: others (link)
  2. Spetzler, R. F.; Martin, N. A. (1986-10). "A proposed grading system for arteriovenous malformations". Journal of Neurosurgery. 65 (4): 476–483. doi:10.3171/jns.1986.65.4.0476. ISSN 0022-3085. PMID 3760956. Check date values in: |date= (help)