SERVICES
Craniotomies/Craniectomies
BRAIN
SPINAL CORD
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
Are craniotomy and craniectomy the same thing?
Brain surgery is not an easy thing to go through, and of course, many of us have questions regarding this. Brain surgery can happen in one of two ways; the first is cutting around the top half of the skull or accessing the brain via the nose by opening the back part of the skull.
A craniotomy is a standard brain surgery that involves removing a plate of the skull called a bone flap. The size of the flap may differ in each case but is cut in an oval or round shape. After surgery, the bone flap is put back in place to heal completely. Waiting over the next few months allows the flap to rejuvenate and appears stronger than ever before.
When performing a craniectomy, the neurosurgeon does not return the bone flap to its original place but instead discards it due to infection or swollen brain tissue that does not permit the retrieval of the flap.
How do we perform craniotomies/craniectomies?
Unlike cutting through soft skin in the abdominal region, a neurosurgeon must cut through a tough skull to reach the brain. Primarily, the neurosurgeon performs a craniectomy to reduce brain pressure. The bone flap is never returned due to trauma or because Dr Madumo deems it fit in the patient's best interest. A craniotomy is typically carried out when extensive work on the brain is required.
Neurosurgeons conduct craniotomies to:
- Drain the brain channels of excessive cerebrospinal fluid using a shunt.
- Place a deep brain stimulator to treat neurological conditions such as epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, essential tremors or harmful addictive behaviour.
- Place an intracranial pressure monitor to evaluate fluid levels
- Obtain tissue samples (brain biopsy)
- Remove a blood clot in the brain
- Resect brain tumours
What does recovery involve?
After brain surgery, the patient recovers inside the post-operative room, where medical staff monitors their vital signs. While in the intensive care ward, the nurse assesses the patient’s coordination, pupil dilation and neurological function. Dr Madumo prescribes steroids to reduce swelling of the brain and, in some instances, anticonvulsant medication to lower the risk of a seizure.
Are craniotomy and craniectomy the same thing?
Brain surgery is not an easy thing to go through, and of course, many of us have questions regarding this. Brain surgery can happen in one of two ways; the first is cutting around the top half of the skull or accessing the brain via the nose by opening the back part of the skull.
A craniotomy is a standard brain surgery that involves removing a plate of the skull called a bone flap. The size of the flap may differ in each case but is cut in an oval or round shape. After surgery, the bone flap is put back in place to heal completely. Waiting over the next few months allows the flap to rejuvenate and appears stronger than ever before.
When performing a craniectomy, the neurosurgeon does not return the bone flap to its original place but instead discards it due to infection or swollen brain tissue that does not permit the retrieval of the flap.
How do we perform craniotomies/craniectomies?
Unlike cutting through soft skin in the abdominal region, a neurosurgeon must cut through a tough skull to reach the brain. Primarily, the neurosurgeon performs a craniectomy to reduce brain pressure. The bone flap is never returned due to trauma or because Dr Madumo deems it fit in the patient's best interest. A craniotomy is typically carried out when extensive work on the brain is required.
Neurosurgeons conduct craniotomies to:
- Drain the brain channels of excessive cerebrospinal fluid using a shunt.
- Place a deep brain stimulator to treat neurological conditions such as epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, essential tremors or harmful addictive behaviour.
- Place an intracranial pressure monitor to evaluate fluid levels
- Obtain tissue samples (brain biopsy)
- Remove a blood clot in the brain
- Resect brain tumours
What does recovery involve?
After brain surgery, the patient recovers inside the post-operative room, where medical staff monitors their vital signs. While in the intensive care ward, the nurse assesses the patient’s coordination, pupil dilation and neurological function. Dr Madumo prescribes steroids to reduce swelling of the brain and, in some instances, anticonvulsant medication to lower the risk of a seizure.