Perioperative care of the craniotomy patient: a review

1. Knowledge of the patient and the planned positioning allows the perioperative nurse to prepare for the needs of the individual craniotomy patient in surgery. 2. Microsurgical instrumentation often required with a craniotomy requires special handling and care. 3. Methylene blue should never be used in neurosurgical procedures. 4. The sitting position for posterior fossa surgery requires special precautions.