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Postoperative Management in the Neurosciences Critical Care Unit

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Critical Care Neurology and Neurosurgery

Part of the book series: Current Clinical Neurology ((CCNEU))

Abstract

Caring for the postoperative neurosurgical patient presents unique challenges to the critical care physician. Not only does the clinician need to be comfortable with routine postsurgical concerns, but he or she also requires specialized knowledge about the functioning of the central nervous system. There is a wide variety of central nervous system (CNS) pathology requiring surgical intervention, and treatments appropriate for one type of brain injury may prove to be detrimental to patients with a different disease process. It is essential to understand these differences, to institute proper treatment. In addition, the physician must always keep in mind that patients in the neurosciences critical care unit (NSU) may have problems not only within the central nervous system, but also of various other organ systems. Preoperative medical conditions often profoundly complicate postoperative management. It is important to understand the effects of neurologic interventions on normal body homeostasis and vice versa in order to provide effective care to patients in the NSU. This chapter attempts to cover most of the topics that face the clinician working with neurosurgical patients, starting with general issues and moving on to specific neurologic disease entities and their distinctive concerns. Basic clinical management, emergent treatment, early diagnosis and anticipation of potential complications will be addressed. The goal of this chapter is to provide a practical and precise overview of critical care for postoperative neurosurgical patients.

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Authors
  1. Tina Rodrigue
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  2. Warren R. Selman
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Neurosciences Critical Care, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Jose I. Suarez MD

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Rodrigue, T., Selman, W.R. (2004). Postoperative Management in the Neurosciences Critical Care Unit. In: Suarez, J.I. (eds) Critical Care Neurology and Neurosurgery. Current Clinical Neurology. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-660-7_24

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-660-7_24

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-61737-350-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-660-7

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