SERVICES
Emergency Neurosurgical Procedures
BRAIN
SPINAL CORD
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
Why is emergency neurosurgery critical?
Neurosurgery is a series of medical procedures carried out to treat head injuries, bleeding in the brain and damage to the spinal cord, nerves and brain. Emergency neurosurgical procedures treat haemorrhaging, blood clots inside the brain, bruises and skull fractures. Prior to neurosurgery, a CT scan determines the extent of damage to the brain. Due to the nature of the procedure, a neurosurgeon may have to operate quickly without time for the patient to decide upon surgery. The patient's family takes time to consider surgery, but that may not be possible considering the urgency of the situation.
What emergency neurosurgical procedures are there?
A craniotomy and surgery to repair skull fractures are types of neurosurgical procedures that Dr Madumo performs. A craniotomy is a common emergency technique to remove blood clots and repair injured blood vessels. A small hole made in the skull allows the neurosurgeon access to the brain. Through this opening, Dr Madumo can stop excessive bleeding, after which he fixes the plate of the skull in its position using screws.
Repairing skull fractures involves repositioning broken bones into their place using a wire or mesh-like material. After the bone pieces have been repositioned, they take months before healing completely.
The spinal cord is also susceptible to damage which affects sensation and the patient’s mobility. Direct injury to the spinal cord is due to gunshot wounds, falls and degenerative diseases such as tumours, spinal infections and arthritis of the spine that requires attentive medical care.
Surgery to remove a herniated disc is a common surgical procedure. Soft rubbery cushions rest between the vertebrae and help stack the spine. Each disc contains a jelly-like nucleus that may push through a gap in the tough annulus. As a result, a broken or slipped disc can push against a nerve causing pain and limb numbness.
Surgery to treat a slipped disc involves removing a section of it or, in some instances, the entire disc, in which case, Dr Madumo seals the space using a bone graft. Unfortunately, sealing the ends of the vertebrae (bone fusion) requires a lengthy recovery that lasts over a few months. In the meantime, the patient is required to wear a spinal support device (metallic hardware) to support the structure.
Spinal stenosis is yet another medical emergency that can cause unbearable pain when left untreated. While corticosteroid injections are a temporary solution for pain and inflammation, surgery is often a patient’s only option to relieve spinal stenosis symptoms. Spinal stenosis surgery is a type of decompression surgery that involves the use of surgical needles to dissect an excessively thick ligament at the end of the spinal column and therefore make more room in the spinal canal.
What does recovery involve after surgery?
After spinal surgery, especially after bone fusion, patients must wear a support brace to reinforce the vertebral structure. Over the next few months, the bone graft will solidify into a single strong component.
In general, neurosurgical emergencies are not to be taken lightly. After these procedures, patients are taken to intensive care, where their vital signs, including oxygen support, are closely monitored.
Why is emergency neurosurgery critical?
Neurosurgery is a series of medical procedures carried out to treat head injuries, bleeding in the brain and damage to the spinal cord, nerves and brain. Emergency neurosurgical procedures treat haemorrhaging, blood clots inside the brain, bruises and skull fractures. Prior to neurosurgery, a CT scan determines the extent of damage to the brain. Due to the nature of the procedure, a neurosurgeon may have to operate quickly without time for the patient to decide upon surgery. The patient's family takes time to consider surgery, but that may not be possible considering the urgency of the situation.
What emergency neurosurgical procedures are there?
A craniotomy and surgery to repair skull fractures are types of neurosurgical procedures that Dr Madumo performs. A craniotomy is a common emergency technique to remove blood clots and repair injured blood vessels. A small hole made in the skull allows the neurosurgeon access to the brain. Through this opening, Dr Madumo can stop excessive bleeding, after which he fixes the plate of the skull in its position using screws.
Repairing skull fractures involves repositioning broken bones into their place using a wire or mesh-like material. After the bone pieces have been repositioned, they take months before healing completely.
The spinal cord is also susceptible to damage which affects sensation and the patient’s mobility. Direct injury to the spinal cord is due to gunshot wounds, falls and degenerative diseases such as tumours, spinal infections and arthritis of the spine that requires attentive medical care.
Surgery to remove a herniated disc is a common surgical procedure. Soft rubbery cushions rest between the vertebrae and help stack the spine. Each disc contains a jelly-like nucleus that may push through a gap in the tough annulus. As a result, a broken or slipped disc can push against a nerve causing pain and limb numbness.
Surgery to treat a slipped disc involves removing a section of it or, in some instances, the entire disc, in which case, Dr Madumo seals the space using a bone graft. Unfortunately, sealing the ends of the vertebrae (bone fusion) requires a lengthy recovery that lasts over a few months. In the meantime, the patient is required to wear a spinal support device (metallic hardware) to support the structure.
Spinal stenosis is yet another medical emergency that can cause unbearable pain when left untreated. While corticosteroid injections are a temporary solution for pain and inflammation, surgery is often a patient’s only option to relieve spinal stenosis symptoms. Spinal stenosis surgery is a type of decompression surgery that involves the use of surgical needles to dissect an excessively thick ligament at the end of the spinal column and therefore make more room in the spinal canal.
What does recovery involve after surgery?
After spinal surgery, especially after bone fusion, patients must wear a support brace to reinforce the vertebral structure. Over the next few months, the bone graft will solidify into a single strong component.
In general, neurosurgical emergencies are not to be taken lightly. After these procedures, patients are taken to intensive care, where their vital signs, including oxygen support, are closely monitored.