Role of speech language pathologist in Brain Awake Surgery: Enhancing Functional Outcomes and patient safety
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69980/ajpr.v28i5.684Keywords:
Awake Craniotomy, Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), Brain Tumor Surgery, Intraoperative Language Mapping Functional Outcomes, Patient Safety, Interdisciplinary Neurosurgical Team , Cortical Stimulation, Language Preservation. NeurorehabilitationAbstract
Awake brain surgery, particularly awake craniotomy, has emerged as a critical neurosurgical technique aimed at maximizing tumor resection while preserving essential cortical functions, especially language and speech. Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) play a pivotal role in ensuring intraoperative functional mapping, patient cooperation, and postoperative rehabilitation. This paper reviews 32 clinical studies and case reports published between 2010 and 2024, highlighting the involvement of SLPs across the surgical timeline. Findings indicate that intraoperative language mapping conducted by SLPs reduced postoperative language deficits by approximately 38% and improved functional recovery rates by 42%. In centers with established SLP protocols, patient-reported satisfaction scores averaged 4.6 out of 5, and intraoperative complication rates related to speech disturbances were reduced from 27% to 12%. SLPs contributed significantly through preoperative cognitive-linguistic assessments, real-time language monitoring during cortical stimulation, and individualized post-surgical therapy plans. Their involvement not only safeguarded functional language outcomes but also contributed to reduced anxiety and enhanced patient safety. These findings emphasize the indispensable role of SLPs in awake neurosurgical procedures and advocate for their standardized inclusion in multidisciplinary teams to optimize neurofunctional outcomes and psychiatric rehabilitation.
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