Craniotomy in Nursing Practice: Perioperative Care, Neurologic Monitoring, and Patient Safety
Abstract
Background: Craniotomy is a cornerstone neurosurgical procedure that provides direct access to intracranial structures for treating tumors, vascular lesions, trauma, and infections. Despite technological advances, it remains a high-risk intervention requiring meticulous planning and multidisciplinary coordination.
Aim: To review craniotomy in nursing practice, emphasizing perioperative care, neurologic monitoring, and patient safety.
Methods: This narrative review synthesizes historical evolution, anatomical considerations, indications, contraindications, equipment, personnel roles, preparation, surgical technique, complications, and postoperative management. Sources include contemporary neurosurgical literature and evidence-based nursing guidelines.
Results: Craniotomy techniques have evolved from ancient trephination to modern neuronavigation-assisted approaches. Indications span trauma, neoplasms, vascular disorders, and functional neurosurgery. Contraindications are rare but include severe systemic instability and coagulopathy. Nursing interventions are critical across all phases: preoperative optimization, intraoperative sterility and monitoring, and postoperative surveillance for complications such as hemorrhage, infection, and electrolyte imbalance. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) principles and interprofessional collaboration improve outcomes.
Conclusion: Craniotomy remains indispensable for managing complex intracranial pathology. Success depends on anatomical precision, technological integration, and coordinated perioperative care. Nursing professionals play a pivotal role in ensuring safety, reducing complications, and supporting recovery through structured protocols and interdisciplinary teamwork.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Faten Ayed Orayfij Alruwaili, Ohoud Hamad Alshammrie, Hanan Mukhled Almutairi, Bishi Mansour Algrni, Asrar Sayar Alenezi, Reem Shalash Alshammari, Anwar Atiayh Alanazi, Nouf Atallah Almutairi, Suad Mutlaq Aljameeli, Abdulkhaliq Mashni Alamri, Emad Atallah Oudah Almashari, Sultan Ghanem Alruwaili, Mohammed Aqeel Mohammed Alsharari
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