Our Summary
This research paper is about a study that looked at the effects of anesthesia used during surgery on pregnant rabbits, and how it might affect the development of the baby rabbits. They chose rabbits because their pregnancy term is similar to humans’ second trimester.
The researchers divided the pregnant rabbits into two groups. One group was given general anesthesia and underwent a simple surgery without any interference to the baby rabbits. Their vital signs were closely monitored. The other group, called the control group, was monitored in the same way but didn’t receive any anesthesia or surgery.
The baby rabbits were then examined after birth. On the first day, the babies from the surgery group had slightly lower scores in motor and sensory tests, and their brains were a bit smaller compared to the control group. They also had fewer neurons in certain brain areas, and their brains seemed to mature a bit more slowly in the first week of life.
However, by the time the baby rabbits were seven weeks old, the differences were barely noticeable. The only remaining difference was that the surgery group rabbits did less digging.
In conclusion, the study suggests that anesthesia and surgery during pregnancy can have a small effect on the baby’s neurodevelopment, but this impact seems to lessen as the baby grows older. This study may be useful in understanding the potential effects of anesthesia during surgery in human pregnancies.
FAQs
- Why were rabbits chosen for this study?
- What were the observed effects of anesthesia and surgery on the baby rabbits?
- Did the effects of anesthesia and surgery on the baby rabbits persist as they grew older?
Doctor’s Tip
A doctor might advise a patient undergoing brain surgery to follow all pre-operative instructions carefully, including any guidelines for fasting and medications. They might also stress the importance of fully disclosing any medical conditions or medications to the surgical team, as this can impact the surgery and anesthesia. Additionally, the doctor may remind the patient to follow all post-operative care instructions, such as taking prescribed medications, attending follow-up appointments, and avoiding strenuous activities until cleared by their healthcare provider.
Suitable For
Patients who are typically recommended brain surgery include those with:
Brain tumors: Surgery is often the first line of treatment for brain tumors to remove as much of the tumor as possible and relieve symptoms.
Epilepsy: In cases where medications are not effective in controlling seizures, surgery may be recommended to remove the area of the brain causing the seizures.
Aneurysms: Surgery may be necessary to repair an aneurysm in the brain to prevent it from rupturing and causing a potentially life-threatening bleed.
Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs): Surgery may be recommended to remove abnormal tangles of blood vessels in the brain to prevent them from bleeding.
Traumatic brain injuries: In cases of severe traumatic brain injuries, surgery may be required to remove blood clots, repair skull fractures, or relieve pressure on the brain.
Hydrocephalus: Surgery may be recommended to place a shunt to drain excess cerebrospinal fluid from the brain in cases of hydrocephalus.
Parkinson’s disease: Deep brain stimulation surgery may be recommended for patients with Parkinson’s disease who are not responding to medication.
Chiari malformations: Surgery may be necessary to decompress the brain and spinal cord in cases of Chiari malformations.
It is important for patients to discuss the risks and benefits of brain surgery with their healthcare provider to determine if it is the best treatment option for their specific condition.
Timeline
Before brain surgery, a patient will typically undergo various pre-operative tests and evaluations to assess their overall health and determine the best course of treatment. They may also meet with their surgeon and anesthesiologist to discuss the procedure and any potential risks.
On the day of the surgery, the patient will be prepped for the procedure, which may involve shaving the area of the head where the surgery will take place. The patient will then be given anesthesia to put them to sleep and prevent them from feeling any pain during the surgery.
During the surgery, the surgeon will carefully remove or treat the affected area of the brain. The duration of the surgery will depend on the complexity of the procedure.
After the surgery, the patient will typically wake up in the recovery room and may experience some pain, swelling, or temporary loss of function in certain areas of the body. They will be closely monitored by medical staff to ensure they are recovering well and may be given pain medication to manage any discomfort.
In the days and weeks following the surgery, the patient will continue to recover and may need to follow specific post-operative instructions, such as taking medication, attending follow-up appointments, and gradually resuming normal activities. Physical therapy or rehabilitation may also be recommended to help the patient regain strength and function in the affected areas.
Overall, the timeline of a patient’s experience before and after brain surgery can vary depending on the individual and the specific details of the surgery. However, with proper care and follow-up, many patients are able to recover successfully and resume their normal activities.
What to Ask Your Doctor
Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about brain surgery include:
- What specific type of brain surgery do I need, and why is it necessary?
- What are the potential risks and complications associated with this type of brain surgery?
- What is the expected outcome of the surgery, and what is the recovery process like?
- How experienced are you in performing this type of brain surgery?
- What alternative treatment options are available, and why is surgery the best option for me?
- Will I need to undergo any additional tests or procedures before the surgery?
- What type of anesthesia will be used during the surgery, and are there any potential side effects or risks associated with it?
- How long will the surgery take, and how long will I need to stay in the hospital afterwards?
- What can I do to prepare for the surgery, both physically and mentally?
- What is the long-term outlook for my condition after the surgery?
Reference
Authors: Van der Veeken L, Van der Merwe J, Devroe S, Inversetti A, Galgano A, Bleeser T, Meeusen R, Rex S, Deprest J. Journal: Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2019 Oct;221(4):355.e1-355.e19. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2019.07.029. Epub 2019 Jul 20. PMID: 31336075