[Respiratory arrest after a ventriculoscopic surgery in infants: two case reports]

Case-1: A 4 month old, 7120 g, girl with hydrocephalus underwent endoscopic fenestration of the septum pellucidum. Her development had been normal without signs or symptoms of intracranial hypertension. She had no history of convulsion or apnea. Ventriculoscopic diagnosis was complete obstruction of the right foramen of Monro and partial defect of right ependyma. Intraoperative course was uneventful under general anesthesia. She had two episodes of respiratory arrest accompanied with myoclonus and the left conjugate deviation 15 min after extubation. Postoperative CT scan showed no abnormal findings such as intracranial hemorrhage. The respiratory arrest and conjugate deviation disappeared after phenobarbital administration. She had no further respiratory arrest. Case-2: A 1-month old boy with congenital hydrocephalus underwent endoscopic third ventriculostomy. He had no signs or symptoms of intracranial hypertension. CT scan showed enlargement of lateral ventricle and third ventricle due to aqueductal stenosis. Respiratory arrest was noted 10 min after extubation in the recovery room. His anterior fontanel sank abnormally and rigidity of the extremities was observed. His trachea was reintubated and he was transferred to ICU. After 24 h of respiratory care in the ICU he was extubated and discharged to the ward. He had no further episodes of respiratory arrest. We believe that postanesthetic apnea monitoring is mandatory in young infants who undergo ventriculoscopic surgery.