Anesthesia, Craniotomy, Neurosurgery
Conditions
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
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
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
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
Study design
Eligibility
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
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Post-anesthesia awaking time, assessed as the interval (min:sec)required to reach an ALDRETE score ≥ 9 | From estubation to aldrete score ≥ 9 |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Neurovegetative stress | From induction of anesthesia to 24 hours after surgery |
| Intraoperative and post-operative adverse events assessment | From induction of anesthesia to 24 hours after surgery |
| Brain relaxation evaluated by a blinded neurosurgeon | From induction of anesthesia to 24 hours after surgery |
| Patient's satisfaction | From induction of anesthesia to 24 hours after surgery |
| Costs of the three strategies | From induction of anesthesia to end of surgery |
Countries
Italy