Le domaine de la chirurgie de par son environnement sensible, ses enjeux de qualité et de sécurité se rapproche naturellement d’autres univers tels que l’industrie nucléaire, l’aviation civile et le domaine militaire. La technicité voire même la connaissance déclarative de chaque individu composant un élément de l’ensemble d’individus interagissant ensemble dans ces environnements ne suffisent pas à atteindre des niveaux suffisants de sécurité. Plus de 70% des évènements indésirables graves seraient liés à des problèmes humains de coordination et de communication. Les compétences non techniques (CNT) sont ainsi nécessaires pour assurer une performance efficiente et sûre. La première partie de ce travail fait un état des lieux de la littérature sur les CNT en chirurgie. Après des définitions générales et un positionnement de ces compétences vis-à-vis notamment des compétences techniques et procédurales, nous présentons une revue systématique de la littérature des CNT dans le domaine spécifique de la neurochirurgie. La deuxième partie de ce travail s’intéresse quant à elle aux compétences interpersonnelles en focalisant le propos sur le travail en équipe et la communication. Le concept de familiarité au sein d’une équipe est exploré. Pour ce faire, nous présentons une étude observationnelle qui a été réalisée en environnement réel de bloc opératoire de neurochirurgie portant sur les interruptions de tâches et le travail d’équipe. Ces interruptions de tâches sont en effet des évènements itératifs entrainant la mobilisation de CNT au sein d’un groupe de professionnels. La troisième partie est consacrée aux compétences cognitives avec une étude reposant sur des entretiens de neurochirurgiens de différents niveaux d’expertise ; celle-ci ayant pour objectif de mieux comprendre la représentation mentale que se fait le chirurgien lors de son planning opératoire pré-chirurgical. La méthodologie qualitative de la théorisation enracinée est utilisée dans cette partie et nous justifions son emploi pour ce travail. / The field of surgery with its sensitive environment, its quality and safety issues is naturally close to other work environments such as the nuclear industry, civil aviation and the armed forces. The technical expertise and even the declarative knowledge of each individual component of the set of individuals interacting together in these environments are not sufficient to achieve sufficient safety levels. More than 70% of serious adverse events are due to human coordination and communication issues. Non-technical skills (NTS) are thus essential to ensure efficient and safe performance. The first part of this work is a review of the literature on NTS in surgery. After giving general definitions and positioning these skills with respect to technical and procedural skills, we present a systematic review of the CNT literature in thespecific field of neurosurgery. The second part of this work focuses on interpersonal skills: on teamwork and communication. The concept of crew familiarity is explored. In order to achieve this, we present an observational study carried out in a real neurosurgical operating room environment dealing with workflow disruptions and involving teamwork. These workflow disruptions are iterative events leading to the mobilization of NTS within a group of professionals. The third part is dedicated to cognitive skills with a study based on interviews of neurosurgeons with different levels of expertise. The aim is to better understand the surgeon’s mental representation during preoperative surgical planning. Grounded theory approach, a qualitative methodology, is used in this part and we justify its use for this work.

Severe Traumatic Brain Injury (sTBI) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity. At the Department of Neurosurgery Umeå University Hospital subjects with sTBI are treated with an intracranial pressure (ICP) guided therapy based on physiological principles, aiming to optimise the microcirculation of the brain so avoiding secondary brain injuries. The investigations in this thesis are unique in the sense that all patients with sTBI were treated according to the guidelines of an ICP targeted therapy based on the “Lund concept”. As the treatment is based on normalisation of the ICP, the accuracy and reliability of the measuring device is of outmost importance. Therefore the accuracy, drift, and complications related to the measuring device was prospectively studied (n=128). The drift was 0,9 ± 0,2 mmHg during a mean of 7,2 ± 0,4 days and the accuracy high. No clinical significant complications were noted. In 1997 uni- or bilateral decompressive hemi-craniectomy (DC) was introduced into the treatment guidelines. The effect of DC on the ICP and outcome was retrospectively analysed for subjects with sTBI treated 1998-2001. In the subjects who underwent DC the ICP was 36,4 mmHg immediately before and 12,6 mmHg immediately after the DC. The ICP then levelled out at just above 20 mmHg. The ICP was significant lower during the 72 hours following DC. The outcome did not differ between subjects who had undergone DC or not. Subclinical electroencephalographic seizures and status epilepticus have been reported to be common in subjects treated for traumatic brain injury (TBI). This can negatively influence the outcome giving rise to secondary brain injuries. The occurrence of seizures in subjects treated for TBI using continuous EEG monitoring was therefore prospectively studied. During 7334 hours of EEG recording in 47 patients no electroencephalographic seizures were observed. Theoretically, and based on animal studies, prostacyclin (PGI2) can improve the microcirculation of the brain, decreasing the risk for secondary ischaemic brain injury. PGI2 was introduced to the treatment in a prospective randomised double blinded study (epoprostenol 0,5 ng/kg/min). The effect of PGI1 pkt was analysed using the lactate/pyruvate ratio (L/P) measured by cerebral microdialysis in order to study the energy metabolism in the brain. The outcome was measured as Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) at 3 months follow-up. Forty-eight subjects were included. The L/P was pathological high during the first day, thereafter decreasing. There was no significant difference in L/P or outcome between the treated and non-treated group. At 3 months the mortality was 12,5% (95,8% was discharged alive from the ICU), and favourable outcome (GOS 4-5) was 52%. In the same study the brain injury biomarkers S-100B and NSE were followed twice a day for five days to evaluate brain injury and investigate the possible use of these biomarkers for outcome prediction. Initially the biomarkers were elevated to pathological levels which decreased over time. The biomarkers were significant elevated in subjects with Glasgow Coma Scale 3 (GCS) and GOS 1 compared with subjects with GCS 4-8 and GOS 2–5, respectively. A correlation to outcome was found but this correlation could not be used to predict clinical outcome. It is concluded that the ICP measurements are valid and the treatment protocol is a safe and solid protocol, yielding among the best reported results in the world, in regard to favourable outcome as well as in regard to mortality. Epoprostenol in the given dose was not shown to have any effects on the microdialysis parameters nor the clinical outcome. In sTBI L/P and brain injury biomarkers can not be used to predict the final outcome.

Patients admitted in similar clinical condition after spontaneous SAH can develop very different clinical courses. This could depend on the severity of the initial global ischemic brain injury at ictus. In the present study, we explored relations between clinical and radiological parameters at admission that indicate a more severe initial impact, and the following days hormone levels and brain metabolism. Early global cerebral oedema (GCE) on computed tomography occurred in 57 % of SAH patients and was associated with a more severe clinical condition. The brain’s glucose metabolism, measured with intracerebral microdialysis (MD), changed the first days. MD-glucose was initially high and MD-pyruvate low. MD-glucose gradually decreased and MD-pyruvate and MD-lactate increased, suggesting a transition to a hyperglycolytic state. This was more pronounced in patients with GCE. Similar patterns were seen for interstitial non-transmitter amino acids. From initial low concentrations, they gradually increased in parallel with MD-pyruvate. The amino acid concentrations were higher for patients admitted in better clinical condition. Insulin lowered MD-glucose and MD-pyruvate even when plasma glucose values remained high. P-ACTH and S-cortisol were elevated early after SAH. GCE was associated with higher S-cortisol acutely. Urine cortisol excretion, indicating levels of free cortisol, were higher in patients in a better clinical condition. Suppressed P-ACTH occurred in periods of brain ischemia. We suggest that GCE on the first CT scan is a warning sign indicating increased vulnerability if the patient is exposed to compromised energy supply or increased energy demand. Reduction of blood glucose after SAH should be done with caution. The temporal change of the glucose metabolism and the amino acid concentrations probably reflect activated repair mechanisms. This should be considered in the intensive care treatment of SAH patients. Finally, our results support earlier observations that the response of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system is important in critical care.

The identification of eloquent areas is of utmost importance in the surgery of tumors located near speech-eloquent brain areas, since the classical concept of a constant localization was proven to be untrue and the spatial localization of these areas may show large interindividual differences. Some neurosurgical centers apply intraoperative electrophysiological methods that, however, necessitate the performance of surgery in the awake patient. This might be a severe burden both for the patient and the operating team in a procedure that lasts several hours; in addition, electrical stimulation may generate epileptic seizures. Alternatively, methods of functional brain imaging (e.g., PET, fMRI, MEG) may be applied, which allow individual localization of speech-eloquent areas. Matching of these image data with a conventional 3D-CT or MRI now allows the exact transfer of this information into the surgical field by neuronavigation. Whereas standards concerning electrophysiological stimulation techniques that could prevent a permanent postoperative worsening of language are available, until now it remains unclear whether the resection of regions shown to be active in functional brain imaging will cause a permanent postoperative deficit. / Die Identifikation sprachaktiver Areale ist von höchster Bedeutung bei der Operation von Tumoren in der Nähe des vermuteten Sprachzentrums, da das klassische Konzept einer konstanten Lokalisation des Sprachzentrums sich als unrichtig erwiesen hat und die räumliche Ausdehnung dieser Areale eine hohe interindividuelle Varianz aufweisen kann. Einige neurochirurgische Zentren benutzen deshalb intraoperativ elektrophysiologische Methoden, die jedoch eine Operation am wachen Patienten voraussetzen. Dies kann sowohl für den Patienten als auch das Operations-Team eine schwere Belastung bei diesem mehrstündigen Eingriff darstellen, zusätzlich können epileptische Anfälle durch die elektrische Stimulation generiert werden. Alternativ können Modalitäten des «functional brain imaging» (PET, fMRT, MEG usw.) eingesetzt werden, die die individuelle Lokalisation sprachaktiver Areale gestatten. Die Bildfusion dieser Daten mit einem konventionellen 3D-CT oder MRT erlaubt den exakten Transfer dieser Daten in den OP-Situs mittels Neuronavigation. Während Standards bei elektrophysiologischen Stimulationstechniken existieren, die eine permanente postoperative Verschlechterung der Sprachfunktion weitgehend verhindern, bleibt die Relevanz sprachaktiver Areale bei den neuesten bildgebenden Techniken bezüglich einer Operations-bedingten Verschlechterung der Sprachfunktion bisher noch unklar. / Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG-geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich.

Referrals to the Halifax Infirmary Neurosurgery Department are submitted with regards to spinal conditions with different degrees of complications. Although there exists a Spinal Condition Consultation Protocol to standardize spinal referrals, the information provided from referring physicians is frequently inadequate to accurately triage the patient's condition, partly due to missing diagnostic therapies. The Neurosurgery Department receives a high volume of referrals each year, which imposes a significant administrative workload on the staff. We propose to develop a protocol-driven decision support system to: 1) Provide primary care physicians with timely access to condition specific consultation treatment protocols; and 2) Automate the referral assessment process to eliminate processing delays and administration burden. To this aim, we transformed the Consultation Protocol into a semantic knowledgebase. The decision support services are integrated within a standardized electronic referral system. We believe this system can significantly improve the referral process at the Neurosurgery Division.

Background: Essential tremor (ET) is the most common movement disorder. In cases resistant to pharmacological treatment, functional stereotactic neurosurgery can be an alternative. Lesional surgery has largely been replaced by deep brain stimulation (DBS). The current target of choice is the ventrolateral thalamus (Vim). Vim DBS has generally shown good results, but in some cases it is associated with a suboptimal effect as well as side effects. DBS in the posterior subthalamic area/caudal zona incerta (PSA/cZi) has recently shown promising effects. Recently the role of lesional therapy in selected cases has been discussed. Aim: The aim is to evaluate stereotactic functional procedures in the treatment of ET, with special emphasis on PSA DBS. Further the effects of DBS in the PSA are evaluated. The optimal target is also assessed by evaluating the effect of Vim and PSA DBS in relation to the position of the electrode. An attempt to identify patient-specific factors of prognostic importance for the outcome after DBS will be made. The quality of life (QoL) of patients treated with PSA DBS for ET will be assessed. Finally, the aim is also to analyze retrospectively the long-term outcome of lesional procedures (thalamotomies). Method: The thesis consists of five studies. The optimal electrode location is evaluated in a study analyzing the location of the electrode contact yielding the best effect in Vim DBS and PSA DBS groups. The efficacy of PSA DBS in 21 patients is evaluated in a prospective study. The correlation between outcome, age, tremor grade and gender is established in a prospective study consisting of 68 patients. Finally, the degree of improvement in QoL is determined in 16 patients operated on in the PSA. The very long-term effect of lesional surgery has been investigated in a retrospective study of nine patients who have undergone thalamotomy. Results: In the study of PSA DBS the total score on the Essential Tremor Rating Scale (ETRS) was reduced by 60% compared to the baseline value. Tremor of the arm was improved by 95%. The study evaluating the optimal contact location showed that the best effect was in the PSA in 54% and in the Vim in 12%. The efficacy of DBS was not related to age, gender, or the severity of tremor with regard to the percentage reduction of tremor on stimulation. In patients with a more severe tremor at baseline, a higher degree of residual tremor on stimulation was seen. With regard to QoL, the activities of daily living (ADL) according to the ETRS score were significantly improved, as well as according to the ADL and psychosocial subscores on the Questionnaire for Essential Tremor (QUEST) scale. No significant changes were found on the generic Short Form (SF-36) QoL scale. Thalamotomy had some positive effects, but also a significant amount of side effects that might be attributed to the surgery. Conclusions: The effect of PSA DBS was very satisfying and compares well with the results from Vim DBS. When both Vim and PSA DBS are considered, the optimal target seems to be located in the PSA. PSA DBS shows good results in improving ADL, but the results have been difficult to demonstrate on QoL scales. The efficacy of DBS could not be shown to be associated with gender or age. Nor was it associated with the severity of tremor regarding the percentage of tremor reduction on stimulation. The preoperative severity of tremor was the most important factor regarding outcome following DBS. With regard to thalamotomies, some possible remaining benefit of the surgery could be seen along with some severe side effects.

Introduction: Pineal region is a deep-seated part of the brain surrounded by highly eloquent structures. Differential diagnosis of space-occupying lesions in this region encompasses pineal gland cysts, pineal gland tumours, metastases, germ cell tumours, meningiomas, gliomas, hemangioblastomas and neuroectodermal tumours. In this thesis, I focused mainly on patients with pineal cysts, which is a benign affection of the human pineal gland on the borderline between pathology and normality. The clinical management of patients with a pineal cyst remains controversial, especially when patients present with non-specific symptoms. A melatonin secretion in patients with a pineal cyst before and after a pineal cyst resection has not been studied yet and the effect of surgery on human metabolism is unknown. Materials and Methods: We performed a prospective study between 2000 and 2016. All patients with a pineal cyst larger than 7 mm were included. Epidemiological data, presenting symptoms, surgical results and radiographic and clinical follow-up were documented. We examined melatonin, cortisol and blood glucose secretion profiles perioperatively in a subgroup of 4 patients. The control group was represented by 3 asymptomatic patients with a pineal cyst. For each patient, 24-h circadian secretion curves of...

Os exames de neuroimagem são essenciais na rotina pré-cirúrgica de pacientes com lesão encefálica. A ressonância magnética (RM) e a tomografia computadorizada (TC) são métodos consagrados que fornecem valiosas informações anatômicas das lesões e áreas adjacentes. A ressonância magnética funcional (RMf) é um método mais recente que pode dar suporte a neurocirurgia demonstrando as áreas que apresentam resposta hemodinâmica durante a realização de determinadas tarefas. Por outro lado, o neurocirurgião deve associar estas novas técnicas aos conhecimentos da anatomia empregados no ato cirúrgico. Ribas (2005) estabeleceu um sistema de pontos-chave aplicados à anatomia microcirúrgica, que representam relações entre a superfície do crânio e a superfície do cérebro e demonstra erros menores que 2 cm entre estes pontos e os sulcos e giros cerebrais num estudo em cadáveres. Entretanto, a metodologia não permitiu avaliar a relação com areas cerebrais que mostram atividade hemodinâmica durante a realização de tarefas somatossentivas e motoras. O objetivo desta dissertação foi de avaliar métodos de fusão de imagens geradas por TC, RM e RMf com intuito de verificar as relações craniométricas com os sulcos e giros, e a relação destes pontos com os aspectos funcionais das áreas motora e somatosensitiva. MÉTODOS: Foram realizados exames de RM e RMf com paradigmas motor e somatosensitivo em aparelho de três Tesla (3T) em dez sujeitos que realizaram TC de crânio prévia, (dois com lesão cerebral e oito sem alterações cerebrais visíveis a TC). Escolhemos quatro dos dez pontos-chave estudados por Ribas para avaliação neste trabalho: a intersecção entre os sulcos frontal inferior e pré-central; a intersecção entre os sulcos frontal superior e o précentral; o ponto rolândico superior; e a intersecção entre os sulcos intraparietal e o sulco pós-central devido às suas relações com areas classicamente relacionadas à função motora e somatossensitiva. Os dados de TC, RM e RMf foram analisados por diferentes programas e os resultados comparados. O processo final teve intuito de co-registrar espacialmente as três técnicas e permitir medidas de distâncias em imagens nas três dimensões (3D). RESULTADOS: determinamos um fluxograma de processos computacionais que permitiram mensurar a congruência espacial entre as técnicas de TC, RM, RMF. Não foi encontrada ferramenta computacional que, isoladamente, permitisse todo o conjunto de funcionalidades necessárias para atingir o objetivo. A implementação do processo de fusão das três modalidades mostrou-se viável com a utilização quatro softwares de acesso gratuito (Osirix, Register, Mricro e FSL). Em quatro voluntários foram determinadas as distâncias espaciais entre os pontos-chave na superfície cerebral e na superfície do crânio, a média das quais foi de 2,5cm (±0,6cm) - levando-se em que esta medida inclui as dimensões da tábua ossea e espaços liquóricos, este valor se encontra dentro do que foi demonstrado por Ribas. Porém, a média das distâncias entre pontos na superfície do crânio e pontos de maior resposta na RMf, e entre estes e pontos-chave da superfície do cérebro foi maior, respectivamente de 5,0cm (±1,7cm) e 3,6cm (±2,1cm). Estes achados mostram variabilidade funcional inter-individual, aparentemente maior que a anatômica. Os dados destes estudo mostram que a técnica é viável, e ampliação da casuística pode permitir a análise estatística, necessária para utilização deste método na prática clínica. / Neuroimaging studies have a pivotal role in pre-surgical assessment of patients with brain lesions. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computerized Tomography (CT) are established techniques providing anatomic information of the lesion and surrounding areas. Functional MRI (fMRI) is a recent method applied to probe brain function via hemodynamic response of brain regions involved in certain tasks, and thus provide useful information to the neurosurgeon. On the other hand, these new techniques have to be added to the knowledge necessary to the neurosurgery act. Ribas (2005) have established a system based on key-points aimed to guide microsurgical interventions. The system consists of anatomical relationships between points in the surfaces of the skull and the cerebrum and is reported to have errors below 2 cm of the intended cerebral sulci and giri in a post-mortem study. Nevertheless, this method does not allow for studying the relationship of the cerebral regions showing hemodynamic response to somatosensory and motor tasks. Our aim was to evaluate image fusion techniques applicable to CT, MRI and fMRI in order to verify the craniometrical relations between skull surface, cerebral surface and areas with maximal hemodynamic response to somatosensory and motor tasks. METHODS: We performed MRI and fMRI studies in ten subjects who had a CT scan performed for other reasons (8 healthy volunteers and 2 patients with localized brain lesions) using somatosensory and motor paradigms in a 3T MRI system. We have selected four out of the ten key points determined by Ribas to perform this analysis: the intersection between the inferior frontal and pre-central sulci; the intersection between the superior frontal and precentral sulci; the superior rolandic point; and the intersection between the intraparietal and post-central sulci. This choice was based on the classical localization of brain regions associated with somatossensory and motor functions. CT, MRI and fMRI data were analysed using different software packages, and the results were compared. The final goal of the process was to spatially co-register the three techniques and distance measurements in three dimensions (3D). RESULTS: we have established a pipeline using different computational processes to measure the spatial anatomic congruency between the key points shown in CT, MRI and fMRI images. We did not find a single software package enabling all the functionalities necessary to accomplish our goals. The implementation of the three imaging modalities fusion process was feasible using four public domain softwares (Osirix, Register, Mricro e FSL). We have determined the distances between the key points in four subjects (e patient). The average distance between the skull surface and brain surface points was 2.5cm (±0.6cm) and taking into account the calvarium thickness and cerebro-spinal fluid dimensions, this value is within what was observed in Ribass study. The average distance between the key points in the skull surface and the fMRI maximum response point, and the average between the brain surface and the fMRI maximum response point was larger, respectively 5.0cm (±1, 7cm) and 3.6cm (±2,1cm). These findings show that the intersubject functional variability is apparently larger then the inter-subject anatomical variability. Our results show that image fusion between CT, MRI and fMRI is possible. We believe that an increased number of subjects and appropriate statistical analysis will help to guide the possible application of this method in clinical routine.

Introdução: a pressão intracraniana pode ser monitorada por meio de vários métodos que podem ser invasivos ou não invasivos. A ultrassonografia do nervo óptico é uma técnica não invasiva que permite mensurar a bainha deste nervo e detectar possíveis variações no seu diâmetro. O nervo óptico faz parte do sistema nervoso central de maneira contígua e é envolvido por uma bainha. Sendo assim, elevações ou reduções da pressão intracraniana podem ser transpostas à bainha deste nervo com consequente variação do seu diâmetro. Essas variações podem ser observadas pela ultrassonografia. Objetivo: determinar, por meio da ultrassonografia, o diâmetro da bainha do nervo óptico normal e avaliar os possíveis efeitos das drogas neste diâmetro durante a indução anestésica em suínos hígidos com pressão intracraniana normal. Métodos: foram selecionados 118 suínos híbridos saudáveis (64 fêmeas) de aproximadamente 20 kg e faixa etária similar. Todos os suínos foram submetidos à anestesia geral e foram devidamente monitorados. Os animais foram divididos em três grupos conforme os medicamentos utilizados: Grupo A: utilizando medicamento pré-anestésico xilazina e quetamina; Grupo B: utilizando xilazina (X), quetamina (Q) mais Propofol (P), e Grupo C: anestesiados com xilazina, quetamina e tiopental [tionembutal (T)]. As coletas das medidas nos três grupos foram feitas pelo aparelho de ultrassom em triplicata de cada olho, com os animais em posição laterolateral. Resultados: não houve diferenças estatisticamente significantes entre sexo e peso. O Diâmetro médio da bainha do nervo óptico em ambos os lados de cada grupo foram de 0,394±0,048 cm (X/Q), 0,407±0,029 cm (X/Q/P) e 0,378±0,042 cm (X/Q/T). Considerando todos os grupos, o diâmetro da bainha do nervo óptico variou de 0,287 cm a 0,512 cm (média 0,302 ± 0,039 cm). Houve diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre os grupos P e T (P > T, p = 0,003). Não foram detectadas diferenças significativas quando outros grupos foram comparados entre si. Conclusão: o diâmetro médio da bainha do nervo óptico, considerando todos os grupos, foi 0,302 ± 0,039 cm (0,287 cm - 0,512 cm) e 0,344 cm ± 0,048 cm nos indivíduos sedados apenas com X/Q / Introduction: the intracranial pressure can be monitored by various methods that may be invasive or non-invasive. Ultrasonography of the optic nerve is a technique non-invasive that allows measurement of the nerve sheath and detection of possible variations in its diameter noninvasively. The optic nerve is part of the central nervous system continuously and is surrounded by a sheath. Thus, with the increase or reduction of intracranial pressure, it can be transposed to the sheath of this nerve with consequent variation of its diameter. These variations can be observed through the ultrasound image. Objective: determine the normal optical nerve sheath diameter and to evaluate the possible effects of drugs on optical nerve sheath diameter during anesthetic induction in healthy pigs with normal intracranial pressure through ultrasound image. Methods:118 Healthy hybrid piglets from (64 female) the weighing approximately 20 kg each and of similar ages. All pigs underwent general anesthesia and were duly monitored. The animals were divided into three groups according to the medications used. Group A received preanesthetic xylazine and ketamine; Grupo B received xylazine, ketamine and propofol, and Grupo C received xylazine, ketamine, and thiopental (thionembutal). Measurements in the three groups were done by the ultrasound device in triplicate of each eye from the left and right sides. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between sex and weight. The mean optical nerve sheath sizes on both sides in each group were 0.394±0.048 cm (X/K), 0.407±0.029 cm (X/K/P) and 0.378±0.042 cm (X/K/T). Considering all the groups, the diameter of the optic nerve sheath varied from 0.287-0.512 cm (mean of 0.302±0.039 cm). There were statistically significant differences between the groups P and T (P > T, p=0.003). No statistically significant differences were detected when other groups were compared each other. Conclusion: The mean diameter of the optic nerve sheath considering all groups was 0.302±0.039 cm (0.287-0.512 cm) and 0.394±0.048 cm in the subjects only sedated with X/K

A lobectomia frontal é um procedimento neurocirúrgico frequentemente realizado para o tratamento de tumores cerebrais, epilepsia refratária, e outras patologias que requerem remoção extensa do lobo frontal. Embora seja um procedimento relativamente comum, foram encontrados apenas alguns relatos na literatura acerca da técnica cirúrgica, com pouca consideração acerca da anatomia relevante para esse procedimento. OBJETIVOS: O principal objetivo desta tese é apresentar parâmetros anatômicos e considerações técnicas para a remoção da substância cinzenta do lobo frontal (decorticação do lobo frontal) como uma alternativa a lobectomia frontal. A finalidade deste estudo é a maximização da remoção cerebral, diminuindo a perda sanguínea, e evitando a abertura do corno frontal do ventrículo lateral. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: O estudo anatômico foi realizado em 15 cabeças cadavéricas adultas. Os dados clínicos foram baseados em 15 decorticações frontais realizadas de 2002 a 2014. RESULTADOS: A decorticação frontal envolve as superfícies lateral, medial e basal, e consiste em 5 passos principais: a) coagulação e secção dos ramos arteriais da superfície lateral do lobo frontal; b) ressecção subpial paramediana do lobo frontal até a localização do joelho do corpo caloso; c) ressecção da substância cinzenta da superfície lateral do lobo frontal sem entrar no corno frontal; d) identificação e preservação do trato olfatório; e) remoção da substância cinzenta da superfície basal do lobo frontal. Esta técnica cirúrgica foi aplicada em 15 casos, em nenhum deles o corno frontal do ventrículo lateral foi aberto, evitando complicações da abertura do mesmo. CONCLUSÃO: A decorticação frontal guiada por parâmetros anatômicos pode ser uma das técnicas cirúrgicas a ser considerada quando há necessidade da ressecação extensa do lobo frontal (especialmente substância cinzenta). A técnica proporciona máxima remoção do lobo frontal, preservação do corno frontal e da área motora suplementar, e redução da perda sanguínea / BACKGROUND: The frontal lobectomy is a frequently performed neurosurgical procedure for treating brain tumors, refractory epilepsy, and other disorders that require extensive removal of the frontal lobe. In spite of being a relatively common procedure, there are only few reports available regarding its surgical technique and little attention has been given to the anatomy relevant to this procedure. OBJECTIVES: The authors present the anatomical landmarks and technical nuances for removing the gray matter of the frontal lobe (frontal lobe decortication) as an alternative to frontal lobectomy. The goals are to maximize the brain removal, minimize the blood loss, and avoid opening the frontal horn of the lateral ventricle. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The anatomical study was performed in 15 adult cadaveric heads. The clinical data are based on 15 frontal resections performed from 2002 to 2014. RESULT: The frontal decortication involves the lateral, medial, and basal surfaces of the frontal lobe, and it consists of 5 main steps: a) coagulation and section of the arterial branches of the lateral surface of the frontal lobe; b) paramedian subpial resection of the frontal lobe until the genu of the corpus callosum is located; c) resection of the gray matter of the lateral surface of the frontal lobe without entering the frontal horn; d) identification and preservation of the olfactory tract; e) removal of the gray matter of the basal surface of the frontal lobe. This surgical technique was applied in 15 cases, and it was possible to preserve the frontal horn in all the patients when following this technique, avoiding complications resulted by its opening. CONCLUSION: The frontal decortication guided by intraoperative anatomical landmarks can be one of the surgical techniques to be considered when an extensive frontal lobe resection (especially gray matter) is needed. It offers maximum frontal lobe removal, preservation of the frontal horn and supplementary motor area, and reduced blood loss