According to computed tomography-based 3-dimensional imaging, right and left bronchial angles are virtually identical in children up to 8 years of age, and the difference between right and left bronchial angles does not vary with age in this population.

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Trigeminocardiac reflex is a brainstem reflex that results from stimulation of any branch of the trigeminal nerve along its course. It produces a constellation of signs and symptoms decrease in blood pressure (BP) and heart rate, dysrhythmias, apnoea and increased gastric motility. We present a case of 80-year-old female patient who developed alarming hypotension and bradycardia during craniotomy for meningioma excision resulting from this reflex. In the face of refractory hypotension despite administering ephedrine and phenylephrine, we had to resort to adrenaline to restore her normal BP.

Background: Spine surgery in prone position frequently results in pressure skin lesions (PSLs). No study from Arabic world has published their incidence in literature. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients who underwent prone position spine surgery from December 1, 2017, to November 30, 2018. They received standardized anesthesia care and were made prone on Jackson table. The face was supported on a nonface contoured foam device, whereas the chest and pelvis were supported on soft cushions. Following completion of surgery, they were turned supine and their skin was inspected for any skin lesions. The lesions were categorized into five grades depending on severity. Results: Data of 307 patients were analyzed. Their mean age and weight was 41.5 years and 71 kg, respectively. The mean duration of prone positioning was 470 min. One hundred and three PSLs were observed in 45 patients (14.7%), giving a PSL incidence of 43.7% in affected patients. Majority of patients (18, 40%) with lesions remained in prone position between 421 and 600 min. Multiple lesions were observed in 53.3% of the affected patients. The highest number of patients (21, 46.7%) had one lesion only and it was restricted to face. All lesions were of Grade I, II, or III. Body weight >71 kg was more prone to developing PSLs. Females were more prone to PSLs. Conclusion: PSLs in prone position spine surgery occur frequently, and their incidence is proportional to the duration of positioning and weight of the patients. Face is the most commonly affected area.

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Awake craniotomy (AC) is indicated to excise a lesion close to an eloquent area of the brain. Success of this procedure depends upon the patient’s active participation during the awake phase of the surgery, especially for brain mapping. Occasionally, a patient may refuse to remain awake during the surgical procedure and demand general anesthesia (GA). A 27-year-old male with uncontrolled seizures from recurrent brain tumor near motor area refused to consent for AC citing his past unpleasant experience; so, the decision to administer GA was taken. To avoid straining/coughing on tracheal tube, his airway was anesthetized with transtracheal xylocaine, bilateral superior laryngeal nerve block, and inflation of tracheal tube cuff with xylocaine. GA was maintained with sevoflurane, infusion of fentanyl, and rocuronium. To awaken him, anesthetics were discontinued and rocuronium antagonized with sugammadex. Intravenous lignocaine and midazolam were administered to supress cough reflex and produce amnesia, respectively. He tolerated the entire duration of 30 minutes of brain mapping with electrocorticography and neurological testing comfortably. Upon completion of brain mapping, GA was reintroduced and the lesion excised. The surgical outcome was good with no neurological deficit. When interviewed postoperatively, the patient had no recall of the awake phase.

A 35-year-old female presented with headache in the third week postpartum period following uneventful cesarean delivery. She had left sided ptosis, pain, and numbness over left face since third trimester. Post-delivery magnetic resonance imaging revealed invading left sphenoid sinus meningioma. She was planned for combined endonasal and pterional craniotomy. Her preoperative investigations including sodium, glucose, and liver functions were normal. Intraoperatively during endonasal phase a high urine output (UO) with rising sodium were noticed which continued with worsening sodium (156 mEq/L after 3 h). Desmopressin 1 mcg IV administered which normalized UO for the rest of surgical duration with trends of declining sodium (149 mEq/L at the end of procedure). Her postoperative MRI was normal however desmopressin could not be discontinued because of increasing sodium and UO without it. She was discharged on oral desmopressin, hydrocortisone and levothyroxine. On her follow-up 3.5 months later she had normal sodium and normal UO.

In the absence of cardiac pathology, premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) in neurosurgical patients frequently accompany subarachnoid hemorrhage, intracerebral hemorrhage, traumatic brain injury, or raised intracranial pressure. PVCs detected during preanesthesia assessment prompts detailed cardiac evaluation. Our 57-year-old patient, a case of left frontal meningioma, with controlled hypertension, diabetes and hypothyroidism, had normal preoperative ECG and potassium. However, immediately on anesthesia induction, she developed multiple refractory to treatment PVCs but with normal blood pressure. Anesthesia, which was maintained with sevoflurane and fentanyl, was deepened to exclude light anesthesia as the cause, without useful outcome. Two lignocaine boluses (100 mg each), followed by its infusion, also proved ineffective. Her blood gases and potassium, checked twice, were normal. Throughout, her hemodynamics remained stable. As soon as tumor was removed, the PVCs disappeared not to return. Her postoperative recovery was uneventful with normal ECG.