A novel checklist for anesthesia in neurosurgical cases

Abstract

Throughout their training, anesthesiology residents are exposed to a variety of surgical subspecialties, many of which have specific anesthetic considerations. According to the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education requirements, each anesthesiology resident must provide anesthesia for at least twenty intracerebral cases. There are several studies that demonstrate that checklists may reduce deficiencies in pre-induction room setup. We are introducing a novel checklist for neuroanesthesia, which we believe to be helpful for residents during their neuroanesthesiology rotations. Our checklist provides a quick and succinct review of neuroanesthetic challenges prior to case setup by junior residents, covering noteworthy aspects of equipment setup, airway management, induction period, intraoperative concerns, and postoperative considerations. We recommend displaying this checklist on the operating room wall for quick reference.