PROBABLE VENOUS AIR-EMBOLISM ASSOCIATED WITH REMOVAL OF THE MAYFIELD SKULL CLAMP

Venous air embolism (VAE) is recognized as a serious complication occurring during neurosurgical procedures requiring craniotomy. Most often, embolic events occur in the sitting position and are temporally associated with surgical entry into the venous structures and marrow spaces of the skull (1). This report describes the probable occurrence of VAE occurring at the conclusion of surgery in the supine position after removal of the Mayfield skull clamp fixating pins.