What is craniotomy, what is it for and recovery

Craniotomy is a surgery in which a part of the skull bone is removed to operate parts of the brain, and then that part is placed again. This surgery can be indicated to remove brain tumors, repair aneurysms, correct fractures of the skull, relieve intracranial pressure and remove clots from the brain, in case of stroke, for example.

Craniotomy is a complex procedure that lasts an average of 5 hours, is done under general anesthesia and requires the person to be hospitalized for an average of 7 days to receive medical care and continue to observe the body's functions coordinated by the brain, like speech and body movements. Recovery depends on the type of surgery performed and the person needs to be careful with the dressing, keeping the place clean and dry.

What is it for

Craniotomy is a surgery performed on the brain and can be indicated for the following conditions:

• Withdrawal of brain tumors;
• Treatment of cerebral aneurysm;
• Removal of clots on the head;
• Correction of fistulas of arteries and veins of the head;
• Drainage of brain abscess;
• Repair fractures of the skull;

This surgery can also be indicated by a neurologist to relieve intracranial pressure caused by head trauma or stroke, and thus reduce swelling within the brain.

Craniotomy can be used to place specific implants for the treatment of Parkinson's disease and epilepsy, which is a disease of the nervous system characterized by several involuntary electrical discharges that lead to the appearance of involuntary body movements. Understand what epilepsy is, what are the symptoms and treatment.

How it is done

Before the start of the craniotomy, it is recommended that the person fast for at least 8 hours and after this period, be referred to the hospital's surgical center. Craniotomy surgery is performed under general anesthesia, lasts an average of 5 hours and is performed by a team of medical surgeons who will make cuts on the head to remove parts of the skull bone, in order to have access to the brain.

During surgery, doctors will obtain images of the brain on computer screens, using computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging and this serves to give the exact location of the part of the brain that needs to be operated on. After the operation on the brain, the part of the skull bone is placed again and surgical stitches are made on the skin.

Recovery after craniotomy

After carrying out the craniotomy, the person must be kept under observation in the ICU, and then she is sent to the hospital room, where she can be hospitalized on average 7 days to receive antibiotics in the vein, to prevent infections, and medicines to relieve pain , like paracetamol, for example.

During the period in which the person is admitted to the hospital, several tests are done to test the function of the brain and check if the surgery caused any sequela, such as difficulty in seeing or moving any part of the body.

After hospital discharge, it is important to keep dressing in the place where the surgery was performed, taking care to keep the cut always clean and dry, it is important to protect the dressing during the bath. The doctor may request a return to the office in the first days, to check the healing and remove the stitches.

Possible complications

Craniotomy is performed by specialists, neurosurgeons, who are well prepared for this procedure, but even so, some complications can happen, such as:

• Infection;
• Bleeding;
• Formation of blood clots;
• Pneumonia;
• Convulsions;
• Muscle weakness;
• Memory problems;
• Difficulty in speech;
• Balance problems.

Therefore, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible if, after surgery, you experience symptoms such as fever, chills, changes in vision, excessive sleepiness, mental confusion, weakness in your arms or legs, dizziness, difficulty breathing, chest pain.

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Bibliography

• JOHNS HOPKINS HOSPITAL. Craniotomy. Available in: . Accessed on 18 Feb 2020
• UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL SOUTHAMPTON. Craniotomy. Available in: . Accessed on 18 Feb 2020
• NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE. craniotomy. Available in: . Accessed on 18 Feb 2020
• FALEIRO, Rodrigo M .; MARTINS, Luanna R. V. Decompressive craniotomy: indications and techniques. Rev Med Minas Gerais. vol.24, n.4. 509-514, 2014