Complications of brain tumor surgery

There is a paucity of information regarding the surgical outcomes of brain tumors in sub-Saharan Africa. This study sought to address some of the existing gaps in knowledge concerning the epidemiology and management of brain tumors as well as postsurgical complications in Guinea, in comparison with the existing literature.

Three hundred seventy-four patients were diagnosed with brain tumors at the Department of Neurosurgery of a tertiary hospital in Conakry between July 2019 and June 2024. This retrospective study included patients who underwent surgical intervention in our operating room with at least one complication occurring within 30 days of surgery.

Sixty-five patients were included in this analysis, with a predominance of the 25-55 age subgroup and a male: female ratio of 37:28. Over 50% of the patients presented with a diagnostic delay of more than 3 months, and 73% underwent surgery with a further delay of more than 1 month. Of the patients, 76.9% had a World Health Organization score of ≥2, and 25% underwent emergency surgery. Gross total resection was performed in 41% of the cases, and 44.6% of the patients underwent surgery for more than 4 h. A total of 27 patients (41.5%) developed 32 complications including 10.7% neurological deterioration, 21.5% regional complications, and 9.2% systemic complications. Eleven patients died, seven patients recovered, and 19 patients remained in a stationary state, giving an overall rate of 67.2% favorable outcomes.

These findings underscore the need for continued investment in the neurosurgical infrastructure, training, and technology to improve outcomes and reduce complications.