Neuroanesthesiology

UF Heart, vascular, neuro hospitals

The Neuroanesthesiology Division in the UF Department of Anesthesiology staffs nine specialized operating rooms specifically designed for neurosurgical and orthopedic spine procedures. Among these, we have two hybrid endovascular suites and rooms equipped with intraoperative MRI capabilities. Additionally, we are a certified comprehensive stroke center.

Annually, we serve approximately 5,000 patients undergoing a diverse range of procedures. At the heart of our practice lies a commitment to advancing patient outcomes and contributing to the field of neuroanesthesiology. Our clinical interests and research endeavors span various areas related to the brain and spinal cord, including:

  • Neuroprotection strategies
  • Autoregulation
  • Advanced airway management
  • Complex spine enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS)
  • Venous air embolism
  • Neurophysiologic monitoring
  • Neuroprotection and neurotoxicity
  • Awake craniotomy
  • Intracranial pressure management
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
  • Anesthetic mechanisms of action
  • Embolic and hemorrhagic stroke
  • Perioperative fluid management
  • Postoperative urinary dysfunction
  • Postoperative cognitive dysfunction

A one-year, ICPNT accredited fellowship in neuroanesthesiology is offered.

Specialized Procedures Include

  • Brain tumors: open resection, stereotactic biopsy, acoustic neuromas, pituitary tumors.
  • Epilepsy Surgery
  • Neurovascular Surgery: arteriovenous malformation resection, aneurysm clipping, carotid endarterectomy, cerebral cavernous malformation surgery, EC-IC bypass for complex brain aneurysm, and Moyamoya disease.
  • Endovascular Procedures: thrombectomy for treatment of acute ischemic stroke, coiling of aneurysms, embolization of arteriovenous malformations, tumors, vein of Galen malformations, intracranial and extracranial angioplasty and stent placement, aneurysm coiling and stenting, balloon angioplasty, diagnostic angiography.
  • Spine: herniated disk, stenosis, deformity, vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty for spinal compression fracture, resection of spinal arteriovenous malformation, spinal trauma. Hemifacial Spasm and Trigeminal Neuralgia: microvascular decompression, radiofrequency ablation.
  • Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, dystonia and obsessive-compulsive disorder as well as novel applications for this technique such as the treatment of Tourette’s syndrome, non-medication-responsive gait disorders and depression.
  • Pediatric Neurosurgery: brain and spine tumors, Chiari malformation, craniosynostosis, spina bifida, hydrocephalus, scoliosis.

Faculty

Lauren C Berkow

Lauren C Berkow MD, FASA

Professor Of Anesthesiology; Chief, Division Of Neuroanesthesia; Director Of Anesthesia Supplies And Equipment
Sebastián Gatica-Moris

Sebastián Gatica-Moris MD

Assistant Professor Of Anesthesiology
John A Heinbockel

John A Heinbockel MD, MSEE

Assistant Professor Of Anesthesiology
Anatoly E Martynyuk

Anatoly E Martynyuk PhD

Professor Of Anesthesiology And Neuroscience
Steven A Robicsek

Steven A Robicsek MD, PhD

Professor Of Anesthesiology, Neurosurgery & Neuroscience
Christoph N Seubert

Christoph N Seubert MD, PhD, DABNM, FASA

Professor Of Anesthesiology And Neurosurgery
Gevalin Srisooksai

Gevalin Srisooksai MD

Assistant Professor Of Anesthesiology
Peggy A White

Peggy A White MD

Associate Professor Of Anesthesiology; Director, Multidisciplinary Adult Critical Care Medicine Fellowship

Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM)

Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) involves using electrophysiological techniques such as electroencephalography (EEG), electromyography (EMG), transcranial motor evoked potentials (TcMEP), somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP) and auditory evoked potentials to assess the functional integrity of specific neural structures (such as nerves, spinal cord, and neural pathways) during surgery.

Primary Objectives of IONM

Risk Reduction

By monitoring neural activity in real-time, IONM helps minimize the risk of intraoperative damage to the nervous system.

Guidance

It provides valuable functional guidance to both the surgeon and the anesthesiologist when the nervous system is vulnerable during surgical procedures.

Common surgical specialties that utilize intraoperative neuromonitoring include neurosurgery, vascular surgery, orthopedic spine, and otolaryngology.

UF Health Intraoperative Neurophysiologic Technicians

Linda Moss

Linda Moss, IOM Technologist

LMoss@anest.ufl.edu


Steve Finlay

Steve Finlay, R.EEG T., CNIM, IOM/EEG Tech Specialist III

finsla@shands.ufl.edu


Khem Banjara

Khem Banjara, BBS, R.EEG T., IOM/EEG Tech Specialist

banjak@shands.ufl.edu


Department of Anesthesiology Divisions