Neurosurgical Crises and Brain Surgery

Critically ill pregnant women with neurosurgical crises or those requiring brain surgery are infrequently encountered. Thus, evidence-based recommendations for neuroanesthesia or intensive care management of this patient population are lacking. Considerations include maternal physiological changes related to pregnancy and specific obstetric considerations. Multidisciplinary management with input from obstetricians, neurosurgeons, anesthesiologists, critical care physicians, and neonatologists is essential for optimal maternal and neonatal outcomes. This chapter presents the approach to and the investigation of intracranial pathology, anesthesia, surgery, and delivery for such cases based on the existing literature where available and on expert opinion when evidence is not available.