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

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