Management of Postoperative Neurosurgical Patients

Abstract

The patient profile undergoing neurosurgery varies from neonates to elderly, and from patients undergoing elective surgery to patients undergoing emergency surgeries. The goals of postoperative management include prevention of secondary brain injury and taking care of the major organ systems till the time patient recovers from the primary insult. Postsurgery, patients may be shifted to a neurosurgical intensive care unit or managed in a neurosurgical ward. As a general rule, all patients should be nursed 30-degree head up. We will be discussing the basic principles of postoperative management of neurosurgical patients.