Miyamoto S, Ikeda G, Akimoto K, Mashiko R, Uemura K, Ishikawa E. Brainstem anesthesia during removal operation of ventriculoperitoneal shunt – A case report.
Surg Neurol Int 2022;
13:122. [PMID:
35509561 PMCID:
PMC9062914 DOI:
10.25259/sni_1196_2021]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background:
Brainstem anesthesia is a transient loss of brainstem function usually associated with retrobulbar block and rarely seen by neurosurgeons.
Case Description:
Here, we report a case of brainstem anesthesia during shunt revision operation in a 79-year-old woman. Local anesthesia administered at the end of surgery was thought to have infiltrated the subarachnoid space through a burr hole, causing prolonged unconsciousness and cranial nerves’ impairment. Spontaneous resolution occurred during systemic support.
Conclusion:
As brainstem anesthesia may occur by leakage of local anesthetic through small burr holes, timing injections carefully can avoid this rare complication.
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