Authors (including presenting author) :
Man KL(1), Chang MY(1), Leung SM(1), Chan PK(1), Poon TL(1)
Affiliation :
(1) Department of Neurosurgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Keyword 1: :
Awake craniotomy
Keyword 2: :
Brain mapping
Keyword 3: :
intra-operative co-operation
Keyword 4: :
preservation of motor and language function
Introduction :
Awake Craniotomy (AC) requires patients to be active participants during brain mapping to preserve motor and language functions. Patient need to perform specific motor tasks and speech for assessment during brain mapping in neurosurgery. However, the procedure induces significant anxiety, threatening patient cooperation and surgical outcomes.
Objectives :
To evaluate the Nurse-led model at Queen Elizabeth Hospital designed to optimize emotional readiness and intra-operative compliance since 2021.
Methodology :
The total no. of cases were 31 for study. The mixed-methods study assessed a comprehensive pathway emphasizing patient involvement. Pre-operatively, nurses established rapport, conducted baseline assessments, actively rehearsed specific mapping tasks, coordinated multidisciplinary care (neurosurgeons, anesthesiologists, clinical psychologists) and accompanied patient for operation theatre visit.. Intra-operatively, the nurse served as a dedicated advocate and “anchor”, maintaining continuous communication and guiding patients through critical brain mapping as well as the whole operation. Data included patient satisfaction surveys and qualitative narratives.
Result & Outcome :
Results:
Evaluation metrics indicated outstanding satisfaction with emotional support and education. Qualitative feedback described the nurse as a stabilizing presence, significantly reducing fear. All patients maintained high intra-operative co-operation, facilitating accurate neurophysiological monitoring and preservation of well-spoken areas and motor areas without procedure abortion due to anxiety. Conclusion:
This integrative nursing model demonstrates that empowering patients through education, rehearsal, and dedicated intraoperative advocacy significantly enhances the AC experience. The nursing professional’s unique role bridges the gap between clinical requirements and human experience, ensuring both surgical precision and patient dignity.
