Expert panel recommendations for topical hemostatic agent use in varied bleeding sites and situations during neuro-spine surgeries.

Intraoperative bleeding poses a substantial challenge, particularly in neuro-spine surgeries leading to complications such as hematomas, infections, and hemodynamic instability. Despite their proven efficacy, use of topical hemostatic agents (THAs) lacks comprehensive published literature and guidelines particularly in the Indian setting. The present study provides the first-ever Indian expert panel recommendations for effective adjunct THA use in different intraoperative bleeding sites and situations in neuro-spine surgeries. A comprehensive approach, encompassing a literature review, followed by experience sharing in a meeting using a survey helped integrate expert opinions in the form of practical algorithms to guide THA selection. Our survey results revealed a strong inclination towards specific THAs, flowable gelatin + thrombin being choice of THA for difficult to access and problematic bleeding situations during tumor removal/resection, transsphenoidal hypophysectomy and skull-based procedures. Both oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC)/Fibrillar and flowable gelatin + thrombin were recommended for continuous oozing. ORC/Fibrillar was preferred for arteriovenous and cavernous malformations. This expert-panel guidance on THA use aims to optimize hemostat use practices and improve surgical outcomes in neuro-spine surgery.

Delleman (oculocerebrocutaneous) syndrome: few variations in a classical case.

Delleman syndrome involves a group of congenital abnormalities affecting the eye, skin and central nervous system. It is a rare and sporadic disorder. We report on a 4-year-old male child who presented to us with oculocerebrocutaneous syndrome featuring: focal alopecia on the left side of the scalp, left periorbital skin appendages, a left-sided orbital dermoid, a large left-sided intracranial cyst,optic atrophy. About 35 such cases have been reported in the literature so far. To our knowledge optic atrophy associated with oculocerebrocutaneous syndrome has not been reported previously. Our patient had only a single seizure and his IQ was normal.