Background: Skull pin insertion causes hypertension and tachycardia that adversely affects cerebral hemodynamics. We compared the efficacy of sterile silicone studs (SS) and pin site infiltration with lidocaine in attenuation of the sympathetic response to skull pin insertion.
Methods: Adult patients (N = 120) undergoing supratentorial craniotomy under general anesthesia were randomized to receive either medical-grade sterile SS or 2 mL of 2% plain lidocaine infiltration at each pin site. Hemodynamic (heart rate and mean arterial pressure) response to skull pin insertion at baseline and at 0, 1, 2, 3, and 5 minutes after skull pin insertion was compared. Requirement of rescue analgesia (fentanyl), complications such as pin-site bleeding, and surgeon satisfaction score were assessed.
Results: Heart rate in the lidocaine group was significantly greater at 0, 1, 2, 3, and 5 minutes after pin insertion compared with the SS group (P < 0.05). Mean arterial pressure was also significantly higher in the lidocaine group at 0, 1, 2, and 3 minutes after pin insertion (P = 0.001, P = 0.01, P = 0.034, and P = 0.042) compared with the SS group. The number of patients requiring fentanyl [17/60 (28.3%) vs. 40/60 (66%), P = 0.001] was lower in the SS group. The incidence of pin site bleeding was also lower in the SS group, and surgeon satisfaction score was greater.
Conclusions: Sterile SS appear to be more effective than lidocaine infiltration in attenuating the hemodynamic response to skull pin insertion with minimal adverse effects. Further multicenter studies are necessary to conclusively establish the safety and efficacy of sterile SS.
Keywords: Head pin fixation; Lidocaine infiltration; Pin site infiltration; Sterile silicone stud.
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