Effect of Mannitol Irrigation on Brain Edema in a Live Rat Model

BACKGROUND: Mannitol has been used intravenously for decreasing cerebral edema since decades. The study was performed to evaluate the effect of its irrigation on edema in live rats. Edema was induced by artificial brain injury. We hereby present our results on the same using live rats and confirm its beneficial effect on reducing edema when used as irrigation. AIMS: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of mannitol irrigation in reducing cerebral edema in rat brain after induction of artificial trauma and to compare the results with standard normal saline irrigation using randomized controlled study. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This study was a prospective randomized controlled trial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 20 fully grown Albino Wistar rats were subjected to artificial trauma after a burr hole and divided randomly into two groups of ten rats each. One group was subjected to mannitol irrigation after durotomy and the other was subjected to normal saline. Tissue biopsy was sent at the end of 1 h to check for the status of edema and was classified into three grades. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Comparison of proportions test. RESULTS: Mannitol irrigation produced a statistically significant difference (P = 0.022) in the grade of edema at the end of 1 h as compared to normal saline. CONCLUSIONS: Mannitol irrigation can be used during neurosurgical procedures instead of normal saline to reduce postoperative brain edema.