Successful awake craniotomy in an aged patient with a severe hearing impairment using a bone conduction voice amplifier: a case report

Abstract

Abstract Background The main purposes of awake craniotomy are to minimize postoperative brain dysfunction caused by the surgical procedure and to maximize the tumor resection range. In awake craniotomy, it is important to have a good quality of awakening and to obtain patient’s obedience in the awake phase. Case presentation The patient was a 75-year-old woman with an advanced hearing impairment who was scheduled for awake craniotomy. We used a bone conduction voice amplifier before and during the awake phase and communicated with the patient smoothly. Conclusions We were able to complete awake craniotomy fully, and overcoming the deafness problem might have contributed to the patient’s good outcome. This case report indicates that awake craniotomy can be performed in a patient with an advanced hearing impairment under the condition of careful anesthetic management.

Keywords

• Awake craniotomy
• Severe hearing impairment
• Bone conduction voice amplifier