Craniotomy is a surgery to make a cutting or bony hole in your skull. A portion of the skull, called as a bone flap is detached for accessing the brain beneath. Depending on the problem, a craniotomy may be large or small.
It may be conducted to treat hematomas (blood clots), brain tumours, aneurysms, foreign objects (bullets), skull fractures, infections or swelling in the brain. Using tiny screws and plates, the bone flap is replaced after the surgery.
Hospital stay will depend on the condition being treated. In case there is no replacement of bone flap, the procedure is referred to as craniectomy. Be prepared to incur price of craniotomy surgery in India.
Craniotomies may be distinguished on basis of complexity and size. Relatively small craniotomies are referred to as key hole or burr hole craniotomies. In some cases, computerized devices guided by cameras, endoscopes and stereotactic frames are used through small holes.
Burr hole craniotomies may be used for minimally invasive procedures for:
- Inserting a shunt for draining cerebrospinal fluid from the ventricles
- Inserting a deep brain stimulator for treating Parkinson’s disease.
- Inserting a monitor of intercranial pressure
- For conducting a biopsy on a small sample of diseased tissue
- For draining of blood clot
- Inserting an endoscope for clipping aneurysms and removing small tumours.
Complex or large craniotomies are referred to as skull base surgery. It involves the removal of a part of the skull which supports the brain’s bottom in which arteries and cranial nerves depart from the skull. It is often necessary to reconstruct the skull base. For this, help may be solicited from plastic or otologic and head-and-neck surgeons. Sophisticated technology is used by surgeons to conduct craniotomies and identify location of lesions.
Craniotomies of skull base are conducted to:
- Get rid of big brain tumours or aneurysms.
- Treat brain after injury or skull fracture
- Get rid of tumours in the bony skull
There are many types of craniotomies. Ascertain from neurosurgeon the spot of incision and amount of brain that will be removed.
Who performs surgery?
It is mainly conducted by a neuro surgeon. He or she may have extra training like in skull base surgery. A neurosurgeon may work with a team made of plastic, otologic, head and neck and reconstructive surgeons.
Before surgery
- You will undergo test several days prior to surgery. These tests include chest X-rays, Electro Cardio Grams, Blood tests etc.
- You will sign consent forms and complete paper work in the surgeon’s office.
- You will inform doctor about your medical history such as all current medication, including nutritional supplements, allergies, previous surgery, any reaction to anaesthesia, etc.
- You might need to donate your blood some weeks in advance to keep for transfusion.
- Discontinue NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti- Inflammatory Drugs) and blood thinners like Aspirin at least one week before surgery.
- Stop chewing tobacco, drinking alcohol and smoking, one week prior to surgery and 2 weeks after surgery.
- Be prepared for some pain after surgery which has to be managed via medication such as narcotics. Anticonvulsants may be prescribed for preventing seizures.
These are some facts about craniotomy. Craniotomy surgery cost need not deter you as it is relatively much less in India.
