Anesthetic and perioperative management of pregnant patients undergoing neurosurgery: a case series from a single center in Morocco (2017–2024)

Abstract

Background

Maternal mortality remains a critical global health challenge, with neurological causes, including traumatic brain injuries, intracranial hemorrhages, and neoplasms, emerging as significant contributors. Optimizing anesthesia care for neurosurgical interventions in pregnant patients is particularly complex due to limited literature and lack of standardized guidelines. This study aimed to evaluate and report on the anesthetic management and maternal and fetal outcomes in such patients in a resource-limited setting.

Methods

This retrospective case series included pregnant patients who underwent neurosurgery between January 2017 and December 2024 at Hassan II University Hospital in Fez, Morocco. Cases were identified through electronic hospital records, operating room logs, and intensive care unit registry. Demographic, obstetric, neurosurgical, anesthetic, and outcomes data were extracted from medical records. Outcomes were assessed using the Glasgow Coma Scale, Glasgow Outcome Scale–Extended, and Apgar score at 5 minutes.

Results

Ten patients were identified and included. Mean maternal age was 26.4 ± 6.2 years, and median gestational age at surgery was 25 weeks + 4 days [10–34]. Diagnoses included traumatic brain injury (n=4), spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (n=3), neuro-meningeal tuberculosis (n=1), severe cerebral infarction (n=1), and venous sinus thrombosis (n=1). Anesthesia involved total intravenous anesthesia (n=4) or propofol–sevoflurane combinations (n=6). Osmotic therapy was used in seven cases. Four patients died following cerebral complications. Two intrauterine fetal demises occurred. All cesarean deliveries were performed under general anesthesia without perioperative complications.

Conclusions

Maternal outcomes were primarily influenced by the severity and etiology of the neurological pathology. General neuro-anesthesia protocols, including propofol-based total intravenous anesthesia and intracranial pressure −guided hemodynamic management, were utilized. These findings highlight the need for multidisciplinary protocols and context-adapted guidelines.