intraoperative brain mapping

intraoperative brain mapping

A technique of neurosurgery in which parts of the cerebral cortex are stimulated to differentiate areas with greater or lesser functional effects, which facilitates maximum resection of brain tumours while minimising functional sequelae and postoperative morbidity.
Anesthesiologic protocols which allow intraoperative brain mapping range from local anaesthesia to conscious sedation or general anaesthesia. For example, during direct electrical stimulation of the language areas adjacent to a tumour, the patient should be collaborative and be able to speak to participate in language testing.
Intraoperative complications
Seizure, respiratory depression, patient stress and discomfort.