An unusual case of repeated venous air embolism during awake bilateral deep brain stimulation surgery. (21st November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wan Hassan, WMN; Yeap, BT; Ab Mukmin, L; Ghani, ARI; Mohd Zaini, RH
• Is Part Of: Southern African journal of anaesthesia and analgesia. Volume 22:Number 6(2016)
• Page Start: 198
• Page End: 200
• Publication Date: 2016-11-21
• Subjects: awake craniotomy -- burr hole -- deep brain stimulation -- neurosurgery -- venous air embolism; Anaesthesia -- Periodicals; Analgesia -- Periodicals; 617.96
• DOI: 10.1080/22201181.2016.1223925
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2220-1181

Abstract

Abstract : Venous air embolism (VAE) is the entrainment of air either from a surgical site or from the environment into the venous or arterial vasculature, which can subsequently cause systemic effects. Many cases are subclinical but large volume and high rate of accumulation of air entrainment are potentially life-threatening. The relative risk is high in sitting position craniotomy and posterior fossa surgery but low in burr hole neurosurgery such as in deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery. The authors report their experience of managing an unusual case of repeated VAE during both sides of burr-hole and electrode insertion in awake bilateral DBS surgery.