title: Air embolism related to removal of Mayfield head pins.
abstract: Venous air embolism (VAE) may be fatal and frequently carries high neurologic, respiratory, and cardiovascular morbidity. Its occurrence during anesthesia is challenging to the anesthesiologists in terms of early discovery and management. VAE during neurosurgical procedures especially in the sitting position is well known and usually prepared for it; however, VAE might happen unexpectedly as in this patient's case. A young patient underwent an exploratory pterional craniotomy for recollection of subdural hematoma and head pins were used to stabilize the head. The surgery and anesthesia were uneventful; however, he developed a sudden cardiovascular collapse at the end of surgery and immediately after removal of the Mayfield pins.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesia/ICU Pain and Palliative Care, Hamad Medical Corporation,PO Box 3050, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: Hesham
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: El-Zenati
authors.forename: Jafar
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Faraj
authors.forename: Ghaya Ibrahim
authors.initials: GI
authors.lastname: Al-Rumaihi
keywords: Air embolism; Mayfield; head pins; neurosurgery
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