Neurosurgery Flashcards
What is a Ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VP) ?
A shunt used to drain excessive cerebral spinal fluid from brain hydrocephalus
What causes excessive CSF?
cerebral spinal fluid
1) Blockages in ventricular system, can be due to congenital defects or infections
2) Overproduction of CSF, body makes too much and can’t get rid of it
3) poor absorption of CSF to blood vessels
Without a VP shunt, what can patients experience?
Brain damage and seizures
Why do adults present more with brain damage and seizures compared to infants?
Because adults skull is fused so theres only a limited of space. Infants skill are not fused so they have some more space
What are the 3 parts of a VP shunt?
1) Ventricular catheter
2) Shunt Valve
3) Distal catheter
What supplies would you need for positioning for a VP shunt?
Mayfield head rest Jelly ring pillow Blankets OR bed Safety straps
Where do we want access for a VP shunt?
Right skull
How do we want the arms during a VP shunt?
Bilateral arms tucked to gain access to both head and abdomen
How is the OR table/bed turned?
90 degrees away from anesthesia for better access to the head.
T/F: General surgeon is in OR room during VP shunt
True
Name the first 4 steps during a VP shunt
1) incision is made behind right ear
2) Burr hole is made into skill
3) Cannula inserted through burr hole into right ventricle
4) catheter is threaded into right ventricle
Name the 4 steps after the catheter is threaded into right ventricle
5) Catheter is superficially tunneled down side of head to abdomen
6) The valve is placed at base of skill/posterior neck for easy access
7) A small incision is made on abdomen to gain access to peritoneal cavity
8) A small hole is made in peritoneum and the catheter is threaded into abdomen cavity
How would you close the abdominal incision dermis/skin ?
Abdominal Dermis: 3-0 Vicryl
Abdominal Skin: 4-0 Monocryl
T/F: VP shunt can be a two-part surgery
True
Abdominal part of surgery can also be performed ____________
Laparoscopically
What are the 5 layers of the skull? Outer–> innermost
Skin Connective tissue Aponeurosis (fascia/galia) Loose areolar tissue Periosteum
What is a craniotomy?
Surgical removal of part of the skull to expose the brain
Bone flap can be ______ after surgery or _____ for later attachment
Reattached
Stored
Why would a patient need a craniotomy surger?
1) Epidural/subdural hematoma
2) Tumor resection
3) Aneurysm clipping
What position would be used for a craniotomy?
Depends on the location of lesion/trauma
- need to know which lateral side
What materials can be used to stabilize the head for a craniotomy?
Mayfield skull clamp
Horseshoe pillow attachment
Jelly Ring pillow
How many parts does a Mayfield skull clamp have and what are they?
1) Bed adaptor: attaches directly to bed (slide or pegs)
2) Base unit: attaches to the adaptor
3) Swivel adaptor: comes off base unity and attaches to clamps
4) Skull clamp
What supplies are need for a Mayfield Skull Clamp prep table?
1) Mayfield skull clamp
2) Mayfield Skull pins
3) Hair clippers
4) Tape
5) Comb
6) Small plastic bag for hair
7) Marking pen
What instruments/supplies are needed during a craniotomy?
1) Rainey Clips: to stop bleeding in highly vascular areas
2) Cottonoids: need to soak in saline and apply tp skull so it doesn’t dry
3) Perforator drill bit
4) Tapered drill bit
Perforator and Tapered Drill Bits are attached to ____
Air power drilled
How would you prep and drape the surgical area for a Craniotomy?
1) 4 towels placed around marked site
2) Craniotomy drape place over marked site
3) Meticulous organization of supplies with cords being attached to drapes: so that there is not tangles cords
While prepping we should take special care of ____ and ____ _______
Eyes
Ear canal
What are the 4 steps for opening a craniotomy?
1) incision is made and rainey clips are placed to control bleeding
2) Scalp flap is lifted of skull
3) Perforator drill is used to create burr holes in skill
4) tapered drill is on craniotome attachment to use to connect burr holes
What should we use for suction during a craniotomy?
Frazier suction: used/invented for neuro so that the pressure can be controlled
What should the SA be extra careful doing while a craniotomy opening?
Needs lots of irrigation so that the bone doesn’t burn and don’t want to suction brain (causes damage)
How is the Dura closed during a craniotomy closure?
Dura is sutured together using a 4-0 Nurolon TF needle (pop off form from 8-pack)
Nurolon: braided, permanent and never looses tensile strength
____ may be used instead, for dura substitute
Duragen
How would we close the skull flap for a craniotomy closure?
Reattached using plate and screws
What is done with the skull flap if it is not reattached?
1) Insert into the subcutaneous of the abdomen
2) Bank skull flap