1.00 CPC Credits
Overview of acute neurosurgical interventions. The signs and symptoms pre-intervention. The status of the patient post-intervention. Long-term care and possible neurological defects.
Acute neurosurgical intervention is a medical procedure that aims to prevent or reverse damage to neural structures in the brain and nervous system. These procedures are often used to treat neurosurgical emergencies, which can include –
intracranial pressure control: This can be done by inserting an external ventricular drain (EVD) or performing a decompressive hemicraniectomy
Brain parenchyma decompression: This can be done by performing a craniotomy to remove mass lesions, such as an acute subdural hematoma or epidural hematoma
Cerebrospinal fluid diversion: This can be done by inserting an EVD
The goal of acute neurosurgical intervention is to minimize secondary brain injury, which can be critical in the first hour after a brain injury. However, surgical intervention can carry considerable risk, so medical management is usually maximized before surgery is performed.
