Complications of Neurosurgery.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Neurosurgery
• Vascular Surgery

Background:

• Neurosurgical and endovascular procedures carry risks of neurologic complications.
• Understanding these complications is crucial for patient management and outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of major neurologic complications associated with common neurosurgical and endovascular procedures.
• To highlight common postoperative neurological declines that may require neurological consultation.

Main Methods:

• Review of literature on neurologic complications following neurosurgical and endovascular interventions.
• Analysis of reported complications, including their types and potential causes.

Main Results:

• Common complications include brain edema, seizures, postoperative hemorrhage, and cerebral ischemia.
• Neurosurgical procedures have an approximate 14% complication rate, often systemic.
• Specific complications vary by procedure, such as cranial nerve palsies after carotid endarterectomy and arterial dissections after endovascular procedures.

Conclusions:

• Postoperative neurologic decline has diverse causes, with surgical indication and type aiding diagnosis.
• Brain edema, elevated intracranial pressure, seizures, hemorrhage, infarction, and cranial nerve palsies are frequent complications requiring neurological expertise.