Emergency Caesarean Section in a Parturient with an Inoperable Brainstem Astrocytoma: A Case Report

Marie Esterhazy, Julien Cornet, Jean-Michel Longneaux and Philippe Van der Linden

Department of Anesthesiology, Grand Hospital of Charleroi - Notre Dame, Charleroi, Belgium

^*Correspondance to: Marie Esterhazy 

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Abstract:

Anesthetic management of pregnant women with cerebral tumors remains a real challenge for the anesthesiologists. Medical care of such patient will be influenced by the type and localization of the tumor, the risk of increased Intracranial Pressure (ICP), gestational age and clinical symptoms. We present the case of a parturient with an inoperable glioma who strongly requested to prioritize her baby’s life, even at her own expense. After discussion with the obstetrician and the neurosurgeon, it was decided to perform a caesarean section at term, under general anesthesia. We discuss the rationale of our anesthetic plan, based on a total intravenous technique completed by a loco-regional postoperative analgesic approach that was successfully applied to the patient when she was admitted at 35 weeks of amenorrhea for spontaneous labor. We also debate the ethical dilemma posed by the patient requirement to prioritize her baby’s life at all costs.

Keywords:

Glioma; Pregnancy; Delivery; Anesthesia; Neurological

Cite the Article:

Esterhazy M, Cornet J, Longneaux J-M, Van der Linden P. Emergency Caesarean Section in a Parturient with an Inoperable Brainstem Astrocytoma: A Case Report. World J Surg Surgical Res. 2022;5:1374..