Craniotomy

neurosurgery treatment

Brain Flap Procedure

A craniotomy is a surgical procedure that involves the temporary removal of a section of the skull to expose the intracranial compartment. This procedure is the primary means by which a neurosurgeon enters the intracranial space and eliminates or stabilizes the disease process. The bone flap (removed section of skull) is replaced when the operation is complete.

A craniotomy is usually performed under general anesthesia but can be also be done with the patient awake using a local anaesthetic; the procedure, typically, does not involve significant discomfort for the patient. Before the procedure, your doctor will take an MRI scan, which provides an image of the brain that the surgeon uses to plan the precise location for bone removal and the appropriate angle of access to the relevant brain areas. The amount of skull that needs to be removed depends on the type of surgery being performed. The bone flap is then replaced using titanium plates and screws or another form of fixation, such as wires or sutures.

Purpose of a Craniotomy

Craniotomies are performed for neurological diagnoses such as:

  • Treating brain tumors
  • Treating cerebral aneurysms
  • Removing  blood clots
  • Draining a brain abscess
  • Repairing skull fractures
  • Relieving intracranial pressure
  • Treating  epilepsy
  • Implanting stimulator devices to treat Parkinson’s disease
  • Inserting a shunt into the ventricles to drain CSF

Post Surgery Recovery

The recovery period after a craniotomy will take some time. It will also depend on your pre-surgical diagnoses. You may be able to go home after several days of neurological ICU care, as well as notable forward progression in your recovery. Some patients will need to go to a rehabilitation center for a period of time to regain their strength. You can be assured Harron Neurosurgery will coordinate your recovery and/or rehabilitation care for you.