Ultrasound-Guided Scalp Blocks for an Awake Craniotomy: A Case Report

• Main Authors: Samuel Ern Hung, Tsan, Peter Chee Seong, Tan, Chin Hwee, Goh
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: International Anesthesia Research Society 2022
• Subjects: R Medicine (General); RD Surgery; RZ Other systems of medicine
• Online Access: http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/39977/3/Ultrasound-Guided%20-%20Copy.pdf; http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/39977/; https://journals.lww.com/aacr/Abstract/2022/09000/Ultrasound_Guided_Scalp_Blocks_for_an_Awake.4.aspx
• Institution: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

Ultrasound-guided scalp blocks may revolutionize regional anesthesia for neurosurgery. In this report, we demonstrate that ultrasound-guided scalp blocks can be used effectively for a craniotomy. A 48-year-old patient with a brain tumor at the motor cortex was scheduled for an awake craniotomy. Ultrasound-guided scalp blocks targeting the bilateral supraorbital, supratrochlear, zygomaticotemporal, auriculotemporal, greater auricular, lesser occipital, greater occipital, and third occipital nerves were performed. A total of 29mL of levobupivacaine 0.3% was used. No additional local anesthetic agent was given for skull pinning, skin incision, or the craniotomy. Postoperatively, the patient remained pain-free, and she was discharged without complications. (A&A Practice. 2022;16:e01618.)