We found a match
Your institution may have rights to this item. Sign in to continue.
- Title
Performing Awake Surgeries in Times of COVID-19 - A Singapore Experience.
- Authors
Jain, Swati; Loh, Will; Hui-Minn Chan; Lam, Calvin; Tseng Tsai Yeo; Sein, Lwin; Nga, Vincent; Teo, Kejia
- Abstract
Introduction: It has been 17 years since the severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak and Singapore is facing yet another daunting pandemic - the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). To date, there are 57,607 cases and 27 casualties. This deadly pandemic requires significant changes especially in the field of awake surgeries for intra-axial tumors that routinely involve long clinic consults, significant interactions between patient and multiple other team members pre, intra, and postoperatively. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of all awake cases done during the COVID-19 pandemic from February to June 2020 was done. In this article, we outline the rigorous measures adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic that has allowed us to proceed with awake surgeries and intraoperative mapping at our institution. Results and Discussion: We have divided the protocol into various phases of care of patients planned for an awake craniotomy. Preoperatively, teleconsults have been used where possible thereby limiting multiple hospital visits and interaction. Intraoperatively, safety nets have been established during asleep-awake-asleep phases of awake craniotomy for all the team members. Postoperatively, early discharge and teleconsult are being employed for rehabilitation and follow-ups. Conclusions: Multiple studies have shown that with intraoperative mapping, we can improve neurological outcomes. As the future of the pandemic remains unknown, the authors believe that surgical treatment should not be delayed for intracranial tumors. Awake craniotomies and intraoperative mapping can be safely carried out by adopting the described protocols with combination of multiple checkpoints and usage of telecommunication.
- Subjects
SINGAPORE; CRANIOTOMY; COVID-19; COVID-19 pandemic; SARS-CoV-2; INTRACRANIAL tumors; MEDICAL protocols
- Publication
Asian Journal of Neurosurgery, 2021, Vol 16, Issue 4, p685
- ISSN
1793-5482
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.4103/ajns.AJNS_61_21