title: Tolerance of awake surgery for glioma: a prospective European Low Grade Glioma Network multicenter study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gross total removal of glioma is limited by proximity to eloquent brain. Awake surgery allows for intraoperative monitoring to safely identify eloquent regions. However, data on adverse psychological effects induced in these patients is limited.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study explored patients' perception of awake surgery for glioma, with special focus on intraoperative pain and anxiety.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was conducted at five neurosurgical centers within the European Low Grade Glioma Network. Patients underwent awake surgery for glioma according to the protocol of the individual center. Pain and discomfort were measured during the awake phase. Postoperatively, patients answered a questionnaire on aspects of their operation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred five patients were enrolled. Pain levels on a 10-cm visual analogue scale were 1.3 cm at the beginning, 1.9 cm the middle, and 2.1 cm at the end of awake phase. Levels of anxiety were 2.2 cm, 2.5 cm and 2.6 cm, respectively. Women and patients younger than 60 years exhibited highest mean anxiety levels. The patient questionnaire revealed that the majority of patients feel comfortable with the procedure. Discomfort resulted from head fixation or positioning on the operating table.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We demonstrate that awake surgery is well tolerated, as neither intraoperative nor postoperative assessment revealed major disadvantages. Concerning practical lessons learned from this study, we emphasize the importance of minimizing pain and preparing patients thoroughly to reduce anxiety and maximize cooperation. Awake surgery is an excellent treatment modality for brain tumors with very positive perception by patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Heinrich-Heine-University, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany. thomas.beez@med.uni-duesseldorf.de
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Beez
authors.forename: Kira
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Boge
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wager
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Whittle
authors.forename: Denys
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fontaine
authors.forename: Giannantonio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Spena
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Braun
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Szelényi
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bello
authors.forename: Hugues
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Duffau
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sabel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000379:methods; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003399:Craniotomy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005910:Glioma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016343:Monitoring, Intraoperative / Q000379:methods; D060787:Neoplasm Grading; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014851:Wakefulness / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult