Postoperative Neurosurgical Complications in Neurocritical Care

Purpose of Review The purpose of this review is to identify risks of neurosurgical procedures with emphasis on general medical and surgical complications in the post-operative setting. We specifically discuss complications related to craniotomy and craniectomy, open vascular and endovascular surgery, transsphenoidal surgery, cerebral spinal fluid flow diversion, and spinal surgery. Recent Findings Technological and scientific advances have allowed for increasing procedural applications with safer and less invasive techniques in the neurosurgical field. Ongoing research has focused on maximizing the benefits of these procedures by balancing the inherent associated risks. As such, post-operative complications have decreased, however their prevalence remains significant in several domains including infection, intracranial hemorrhage, seizures, cerebral edema, and hydrocephalus. Summary Neurologists, and other clinicians who care for patients undergoing neurosurgery in the post-operative setting should be aware of the risks associated with these neurosurgical interventions, especially for patients who have undergone complex procedures, with the goal to better prevent, recognize and treat complications.