Authorized Personnel Only – Neurosurgery

It’s a very good thing that I have all that OR experience, because we’ve had a terrible accident at our house. 

6/3/08   3:10pm

S- Patient’s mother says girl’s head came off at school.  Denies any pulling or fighting which may have caused the accident.  States that patient has been unresponsive since then.  Mother is unusually calm and seems be in a bit of denial about the incident.

O- Patient’s head is detached from body.

A-Surgery required to reattach head.  All other systems within normal limits (!)

P-Neurosurgery at bedside.  Emergency procedure scheduled with OR charge nurse for this afternoon.

3:15 – Arrived in OR.  Patient did not require induction, as the airway was detached from the lungs.  No O2 support or monitors used.  Anesthesia at bedside for observation only. 

3:16 – Neuro, Ortho, and Vascular teams at bedside.  Patient prepped and draped in the usual fashion by K. Moore, RN.

3:17 – Head was reattached using the screw-on method by Dr. Soandso.  A simple knot was used to close the wound.  Surgical site left open to air. 

3:18 - Patient taken to recovery in stable condition. 

3:21 – After three minutes of observation, patient discharged to play with mother. 

 Just another day in the life…

 

PS.  If you’re interested in REAL neurosurgery, check out the anesthesioboist’s blog today.  It’s good stuff.

 

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