A standardized protocol for the prevention of clinically relevant venous air embolism during neurosurgical interventions in the semisitting position

Jadik, Senol; Wissing, Heimo; Friedrich, Karin; Beck, Jürgen; Seifert, Volker; Raabe, Andreas (2009). A standardized protocol for the prevention of clinically relevant venous air embolism during neurosurgical interventions in the semisitting position. Neurosurgery, 64(3), 533-8; discussion 538-9. Hagerstown, Md.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 10.1227/01.NEU.0000338432.55235.D3

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OBJECTIVE: We report the results and complications associated with standardized intraoperative management designed for the prevention of hemodynamically relevant venous air embolism during surgery performed in the semisitting position. METHODS: A protocol for preoperative evaluation and intraoperative monitoring was developed and applied in 187 consecutive patients who underwent surgery in the semisitting position between 1999 and 2004. The protocol included preoperative transesophageal echocardiography examination (TEE), intraoperative TEE monitoring, catheterization of the right atrium and a combination of fluid input, positive end expiratory pressure, and standardized positioning aiming at a positive pressure in the transverse and sigmoid sinuses. Data were collected retrospectively from the charts and intraoperative anesthesiological protocols of the patients for the incidence of clinically relevant air embolism (i.e., TEE-diagnosed air embolism plus a decrease in end tidal CO2 or hemodynamic changes) and other complications related to the semisitting position. RESULTS: Three cases (1.6%) of relevant venous air embolism occurred in 187 patients. Only 1 case (0.5%) was hemodynamically relevant, with temporary arterial blood pressure decrease and heart rate increase. Pneumatocephalus leading to lethargy was a frequent postoperative finding, which resolved spontaneously in all except 1 patient with epileptic seizure and oculomotor nerve palsy attributable to space-occupying subdurally trapped air, which had to be treated surgically. There was no permanent morbidity or mortality related to the semisitting position. CONCLUSION: Fear of massive venous air embolism is one reason for dramatic decline in the use of the semisitting position in neurosurgical practice. We found that strict adherence to a standardized protocol using TEE monitoring before and during surgery; exclusion of patients with patent foramen ovale; and a combination of positive end expiratory pressure, fluid input, and a standardized position aiming a positive pressure in the transverse and sigmoid sinuses helped to greatly minimize this complication to a rate of 0.5% for hemodynamically relevant events.

Item Type:	Journal Article (Original Article)
Division/Institute:	04 Faculty of Medicine > Department of Head Organs and Neurology (DKNS) > Clinic of Neurosurgery
UniBE Contributor:	Beck, Jürgen, Raabe, Andreas
ISSN:	0148-396X
Publisher:	Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Language:	English
Submitter:	Factscience Import
Date Deposited:	04 Oct 2013 15:13
Last Modified:	05 Dec 2022 14:22
Publisher DOI:	10.1227/01.NEU.0000338432.55235.D3
PubMed ID:	19240616
Web of Science ID:	000263653000031
URI:	https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/32032 (FactScience: 196862)