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Seizures following posterior fossa surgery
A Suri1, A K Mahapatra, P Bithal
1Department of Neurosurgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
British Journal of Neurosurgery
|October 3, 2000
Summary
Postoperative seizures after posterior fossa surgery are a significant concern. The sitting position during surgery, potentially causing venous air embolism or pneumocephalus, is linked to a higher incidence of these seizures.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Neurology
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Seizures following posterior fossa surgery are a notable complication.
- The incidence and contributing factors require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the incidence of seizures after posterior fossa operations.
- To identify risk factors associated with postoperative seizures.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 511 patients undergoing posterior fossa surgery.
- Data collected on patient demographics, tumor types, surgical position, and postoperative seizures.
- Statistical analysis to determine the significance of various factors.
Main Results:
- 30 patients (5.9%) experienced seizures within two weeks postoperatively.
- The sitting position was significantly associated with increased seizure occurrence (p = 0.001).
- Higher incidence rates were observed in patients with acoustic schwannomas, medulloblastomas, and astrocytomas.
Conclusions:
- Seizures are a significant, underreported complication of posterior fossa surgery.
- The surgical sitting position is a key risk factor for postoperative seizures.
- Further research into preventative strategies for seizures in this patient population is warranted.