Though intracranial endoscopic surgery has several advantages, poor visibility caused by bleeding from the operative field is one of its limitations. In two cases involving endoscopic III ventriculostomy the authors encountered moderate bleeding, and this was controlled with 'water column tamponade.' Following the application of hydrostatic pressure of 40-50 cmH2O for less than 2 min, the bleeding temporarily stopped and the operative field became clear. Several applications of this tamponade made it possible to complete the procedures. Although the pressure applied by the water column was not high enough to disturb the cerebrovascular autoregulation, blood pressure rose significantly during application of the water column tamponade. This method was valuable for the completion of procedures when bleeding was not at high pressure from large arteries. Careful monitoring of the blood pressure is mandatory, and adjustment of the pressure applied will make the procedure safer.

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Takayasu's arteritis is a rare, chronic progressive panarteritis involving the aorta and its main branches. Anesthesia for patients with Takayasu's arteritis is complicated by their severe uncontrolled hypertension and end-organ dysfunction resulting from hypertension, stenosis of major blood vessels affecting regional circulation, and difficulties encountered in monitoring arterial blood pressure. We report two cases of anesthetic management in pediatric patients who had Takayasu's arteritis. One was a case of general anesthesia for an ophthalmic laser operation and the other was a case who needed sedation during an aortic stent insertion.