Postoperative Orders
- ICU: Patients should be observed in the ICU for at least 24 hours postoperatively.
- Standard orders: Routine post-craniotomy orders are issued on children after surgery for supratentorial ependymomas.
- CSF drainage: Special orders for parameters/drainage bag setup are usually not necessary, unless hydrocephalus present.
- Radiologic studies: MRI of the brain should be obtained within the first 48 hours to assess amount of residual tumor.
- Physical therapy and orthotics need variable: Need depends on neurologic deficits.
Postoperative Morbidity
- Dependent on location of tumor: The morbidity associated with removal of supratentorial ependymomas is a function of the location of the tumor and the tissue that must be transgressed to reach it for resection.