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Anesthesiological Strategies in Elective Craniotomy

Anesthesiological Strategies in Elective Craniotomy: Randomized, Equivalence, Open Trial

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT00741351
Acronym
Neuromorfeo
Enrollment
411
Registered
2008-08-26
Start date
2007-12-31
Completion date
2009-12-31
Last updated
2011-09-08

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Anesthesia, Craniotomy, Neurosurgery

Keywords

Anesthesia, Craniotomy, Neurosurgery

Brief summary

This protocol, NeuroMorfeo, aims to assess equivalence between volatile and intravenous anesthetics for neurosurgical procedures.

Detailed description

NeuroMorfeo is a multicenter, randomized, open label, controlled trial, based on an equivalence design. Patients aged between 18 and 75 years, scheduled for a elective craniotomy for supratentorial lesion without signs of intracranial hypertension, in good physical state evaluated with the ASA (I-III) and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) equal to 15, will be randomly assigned to one of three anesthesiological strategies (two VA arms, sevoflurane + fentanyl or sevoflurane + remifentanil, and one IA, propofol + remifentanil). The equivalence between intravenous and volatile-based neuroanesthesia will be evaluated by comparing the intervals required to reach, after anesthesia discontinuation, a modified Aldrete score ≥ 9 (primary end-point). Two statistical comparisons have been planned: 1) sevoflurane + fentanyl vs. propofol + remifentanil; 2) sevoflurane + remifentanil vs. propofol + remifentanil. Secondary end-points include: an assessment of neurovegetative stress based on (a) measurement urinary catecholamines and plasma and urinary cortisol and (b) estimate of sympathetic/parasympathetic balance by power spectrum analyses of electrocardiographic tracings recorded during anesthesia; intraoperative adverse events (i.e. hypotension, hypertension, requirement of osmotic agents or/and hyperventilation for controlling brain swelling); evaluation of surgical field; postoperative adverse events (as seizures, cough, shivering, agitation, postoperative hematoma and postoperative pain); patient's satisfaction and an analysis of costs. 411 patients will be recruited in 14 different Italian centers during an 18-month period. The recruitment started December 20th, 2007 and up to 11th March 2009.

Interventions

DRUGSevoflurane + Fentanyl

Sevoflurane is maintained in a MAC range (0.75% to 1.25%) and fentanyl (2-3 microg/kg/hr or 0.7 microg/kg boluses). Just before incision of the scalp, fentanyl (1-2microg/kg/hr) can be supplemented, if necessary

DRUGSevoflurane + Remifentanyl

Sevoflurane is maintained in a MAC range (0.75% to 1.25%) and remifentanil (0.5-0.25 microg/kg/min reduced to 0.05-0.1 microg/kg/min after dural opening). Just before incision of the scalp, remifentanil can be supplemented, if necessary

DRUGPropofol + Remifentanyl

Propofol is maintained with continuous infusion at 10 mg/kg/h for the first 10 minutes, then reduced to 8 mg/kg/h for the following 10 minutes and reduced to 6mg/kg/h thereafter and remifentanil 0.5-0.25 microg/kg/min reduced to 0.05-0.1 microg/kg/min after dural opening. Just before incision of the scalp, remifentanil could be supplemented, if necessary

Sponsors

Azienda Ospedaliera San Gerardo di Monza
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 75 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Patient scheduled for elective intracranial surgery under general anesthesia for a supratentorial mass lesion in the next 24 hours; * Physical state, evaluated with the ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists ) classification I (normal healthy patient), II (patient with mild systemic disease), or III (patient with severe systemic disease); * Age 18-75 years; * Normal preoperative level of consciousness, i.e. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) = 15; * No signs of intracranial hypertension.

Exclusion criteria

* Severe cardiovascular pathology, as uncontrolled arterial hypertension, documented reduced coronary reserve. * Renal or liver disease precluding the use of either anesthetic technique. * Pregnancy . * Known allergies to any anesthetic agent. * Reduced preoperative level of consciousness, i.e. * Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) \< 15. * Body weight greater than 120 kg. * History of drug abuse or psychiatric conditions. * Documented disturbance of the hypothalamic region.Refusal to sign consent form. * Participation in other clinical trials. * Delayed awakening, because, due to the location or size of the lesion, postoperative sedation and mechanical ventilation are planned.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frame
Post-anesthesia awaking time, assessed as the interval (min:sec)required to reach an ALDRETE score ≥ 9From estubation to aldrete score ≥ 9

Secondary

MeasureTime frame
Neurovegetative stressFrom induction of anesthesia to 24 hours after surgery
Intraoperative and post-operative adverse events assessmentFrom induction of anesthesia to 24 hours after surgery
Brain relaxation evaluated by a blinded neurosurgeonFrom induction of anesthesia to 24 hours after surgery
Patient's satisfactionFrom induction of anesthesia to 24 hours after surgery
Costs of the three strategiesFrom induction of anesthesia to end of surgery

Countries

Italy

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026