Open AccessAir embolism related to removal of Mayfield head pins
Author(s) -
Hesham El-Zenati,
Jafar H. Faraj,
Ghaya Ibrahim Al-Rumaihi
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
asian journal of neurosurgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2248-9614
DOI - 10.4103/1793-5482.106662
Subject(s) - medicine , air embolism , craniotomy , anesthesia , surgery , sitting , pulmonary embolism , head trauma , hematoma , complication , pathology
Venous air embolism (VAE) may be fatal and frequently carries high neurologic, respiratory, and cardiovascular morbidity. Its occurrence during anesthesia is challenging to the anesthesiologists in terms of early discovery and management. VAE during neurosurgical procedures especially in the sitting position is well known and usually prepared for it; however, VAE might happen unexpectedly as in this patient's case. A young patient underwent an exploratory pterional craniotomy for recollection of subdural hematoma and head pins were used to stabilize the head. The surgery and anesthesia were uneventful; however, he developed a sudden cardiovascular collapse at the end of surgery and immediately after removal of the Mayfield pins.