Total Intravenous Anesthesia in Neurosurgery

Abstract

In recent years, neurosurgical anesthesia has been rapidly evolving in the fields of pharmacotherapy and techniques to administer safe anesthesia. Intravenous (IV) anesthetic agents reduce both cerebral blood flow and intracranial pressure besides maintaining flow–metabolism coupling in contrast to inhalational agents. In neuroanesthesia, the technique and choice of drugs directly influence the outcome of the patients. The purpose of this review is to provide the updated information of total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) in neuroanesthesia. Administration of TIVA using target-controlled infusion technique is emerging as a standard method to administer safe anesthesia in neurosurgical patients. The propofol–remifentanil combination has become very popular due to their favorable pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties for neurosurgery cases. Plasma-effect site concentration monitoring from target TCI devices together with electroencephalogram or bispectral index monitors allows easy titration of anesthetic agents to ensure adequate depth of anesthesia depending upon the nociceptive stimulus. TIVA is associated with smooth induction and rapid emergence with less postoperative nausea and vomiting.