Open AccessAsystole during posterior fossa surgery: Report of two cases
Author(s) -
Keshav Goyal,
Frenny Ann Philip,
Girija Prasad Rath,
Charu Mahajan,
MP Sujatha,
Shreekant Bharti,
Nidhi Gupta
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
asian journal of neurosurgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2248-9614
DOI - 10.4103/1793-5482.98654
Subject(s) - asystole , medicine , posterior fossa , brainstem , reflex , anesthesia , surgery , stimulus (psychology) , psychology , psychotherapist
Asystole during posterior fossa neurosurgical procedures is not uncommon. Various causes have been implicated, especially when surgical manipulation is carried out in the vicinity of the brain stem. The trigemino-cardiac reflex has been attributed as one of the causes. Here, we report two cases who suffered asystole during the resection of posterior fossa tumors. The vago-glossopharyngeal reflex and the direct stimulation of the brainstem were hypothesized as the causes of asytole. These episodes resolved spontaneously following withdrawal of the surgical stimulus emphasizing the importance of anticipation and vigilance during critical moments of tumor dissection during posterior fossa surgery.