The emerging contribution of speech and language therapists in awake craniotomy: a national survey of their roles, practices and perceptions.

The evidence suggests areas of consistent practice patterns in preoperative preparation and intraoperative assessment. However, considerable variability exists within language testing and mapping that would benefit from validation. These speech and language therapists support improved outcomes of awake craniotomy by real-time intraoperative speech, language, oromotor and cognitive assessment, rapid detection of clinical deterioration and immediate communication to surgeons. Further research exploring intraoperative language testing, consistent use of language mapping terminology, and selection of test methods is recommended.