Introduction: Skull base surgery is one of the most demanding procedures, especially in terms of location or accessibility, as well as due to the structures located there. Complications are possible after the procedure, which are more often successful with the classical than with the transnasal endoscopic approach. The most effective are cerebrospinal fluid leakage, infections, including meningitis, bleeding, pneumocephalus and orbital complications. To predict complications, the nurse most often uses the Glasgow Coma Scale, which assesses ocular, verbal and motor functions, and also helps with measurements of vital functions. Purpose: The purpose of the diploma thesis is to present ways of recognizing complications in patients after skull base surgery and to strengthen the prevention of these complications. Methods: A descriptive method of work was used with a critical review and analysis of existing foreign and Slovenian professional and scientific literature. The literature search was conducted via the online portal of the Digital Library of the University of Ljubljana (DiKUL), namely in the international online databases MEDLINE, COBISS, CINAHL Ultimate and PubMed. Results: On the day of the procedure, the patient is transferred to a single intensive care unit for at least one night due to the need for constant neurological monitoring. The doctor performs a neurological assessment, the MS, following the doctor's instructions, assesses the patient's health status at appropriate time intervals, using vital function measurements and the GcS scale, also administers the prescribed therapy, and must ensure regular administration of analgesics and appropriate patient positioning. In the event of a need for oxygen, a double-bore nasal catheter is avoided. The indwelling urinary catheter is removed 24 hours after the procedure and the patient is turned in bed by the medical staff, 48 hours after the procedure, the patient is allowed to sit up, and 72 hours after the procedure, the patient is allowed to stand up under supervision. The nurse provides patient education and explains the importance of regular bowel movements. Discussion and conclusion: There is relatively little literature that offers education about possible complications after skull base surgery and how to prevent them. We roughly divide the protection of complications into the first night after the procedure, the following days after the procedure, and the emphasis is also on caring for the patient's discharge. The nurse must know the anatomy and physiology in order to be able to connect the effect with the cause and thus take appropriate action. Complications themselves are not only paid for in the early period after the procedure, but can also be appreciated a few days after the procedure, so the nurse must be educated about complications and act preventively.
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