Pre- vs. Postoperative Scalp Block for Pain Control After Supratentorial Craniotomy

Pre- vs. Postoperative Scalp Block for Pain Control After Supratentorial Craniotomy

Study was designed to evaluate optimal timing for selective scalp block in patients undergoing general anesthesia for supratentorial craniotomy.Pain score assessed by visual analog scale (VAS) preoperatively (baseline) and after extubation at 2, 6, 12 and 24 hours; time first request of a patient for rescue analgesia; intraoperative anesthetics and opioids consumption; awakening time; perioperative complications.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult patients (>18 years),
• presenting with supratentorial brain tumors scheduled for elective craniotomy under general anesthesia

Exclusion Criteria:

• history of allergic reactions on local anesthetics;
• ASA status ≥ 3;
• depressed consciousness in pre- or postoperative period;
• aphasia (as investigators were not able to obtain VAS score).