Awake craniotomy for glioblastoma in a 9-year-old child

Abstract

We report the pre-operative preparation and anaesthetic management for resection of an intracerebral tumour during awake craniotomy in a 9-year-old boy. We believe this is the youngest patient reported to have undergone this procedure. The challenges of sedation and psychological care throughout the procedure are discussed. We conclude that the procedure can be performed safely and that it seems unacceptable to uphold an age restriction. We believe that it is the individual level of development of the child that determines suitability for this type of surgery. © 2004 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.