Patient perception of combined awake brain tumor surgery and intraoperative 1.5-T magnetic resonance imaging: the Kiel experience.
OBJECTIVE
To assess patients' perspective of combined awake craniotomy and intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a prospective study.


METHODS
We evaluated 25 consecutive patients prospectively. Qualitative and quantitative results were obtained by a psychologist via a structured interview 5 +/- 2 days postoperatively, supplemented by preoperative and postoperative assessment of the patients' mood with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, as well as parts of a structured clinical interview during the postoperative assessment.


RESULTS
Satisfaction with the experience was high in almost all cases. Only 1 patient recalled experiencing considerable discomfort during the operation. About one-third (39%) of our sample described minor to moderate difficulties; the remaining were entirely satisfied.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the combination of awake craniotomy and intraoperative MRI is demanding, it was both tolerable and reasonable for the patients. Our data confirm that intraoperative MRI appears to have no additional significant impact on the subjective patient perception, although it does prolong the procedure.
Goebel
Simone
S
Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany. goebels@nch.uni-kiel.de
Nabavi
Arya
A
Schubert
Sarah
S
Mehdorn
H Maximilian
HM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005910:Glioma / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D058926:Intraoperative Awareness / Q000523:psychology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016343:Monitoring, Intraoperative / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult