Recovery From Surgery for Supratentorial Ependymomas in Children

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.