A craniotomy is a surgical procedure used to treat brain conditions and complications. The brain is one of the most vital organs in the human body and also the most complex. Medical conditions such as injuries, tumours, and several brain disorders may require surgical intervention or a craniotomy procedure. In the blog, we will deep dive into the procedure to learn how to care for patients undergoing craniotomy for recovery. However, before that, let’s get started with the basics: What is a craniotomy?
What Is a Craniotomy?
A craniotomy is a part of a brain surgery process. It is performed to temporarily remove a part of the skull known as the bone flap to get access to the brain for the surgery. It allows neurosurgeons to successfully treat an issue with the brain, such as removing or repairing a tumour, a blood clot, or an aneurysm. After treating the main issue, the bone flap is replaced again by securing it with plates, sutures, or screws.
Brain surgery craniotomy gives neurosurgeons direct access to the site of the problem in the brain without causing major disruptions in the surrounding areas of the brain. As the brain is a complex and sensitive organ, this procedure plays a crucial role in life-saving neurosurgical surgeries and progress.
Why Is a Craniotomy Performed?
A craniotomy operation is crucial for treating several brain conditions. Here are some of the medical conditions it is used for:
- Brain Tumors: Craniotomy is used to remove a tumour and/or do a biopsy of the tumour to see if it’s malignant, which means cancer.
- Aneurysms: The process is used to repair weak or ruptured blood vessels.
- Hematomas: It allows doctors to drain the blood clot caused by trauma or stroke.
- Epilepsy Surgery: The seizure-causing tissue can be removed by the process.
- Brain Abscesses or Infections: Infections are treated with the procedure.
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): In case of swelling or bleeding caused by a brain injury.
- Parkinson’s Disease or Movement Disorders: Craniotomy in deep brain stimulation surgery is sometimes used to test Parkinson’s and movement disorders.
Steps of a Craniotomy Procedure
There are several steps in a craniotomy operation. Let us understand what a craniotomy looks like:
1. Preoperative Preparation
Similar to any other surgery, a patient is medically evaluated before surgery to ensure they are ready for the process. Additionally, to the regular tests, an MRI or a CT scan is done on the patient to locate the affected area and prepare for the surgery. The doctor may or may not discuss anaesthesia options with the patient and family, depending on the condition and the type of operation being done on the patient.
2. Administering Anesthesia
Brain surgeries are mostly done under general anaesthesia. It means that in most craniotomy cases, the patient is made to be unconscious for a pain-free procedure. However, in a few rare cases, neurosurgeons may want to monitor the brain function of the patient during the surgery and operate under local anaesthesia. Local anaesthesia means the patient will be numbed at the site of the operation so will not feel anything; however, they will be awake.
3. Making the Incision
After anaesthesia, the surgeon cuts (medically known as an incision) a section of the scalp and moves aside the skin and muscles with careful hands. Then, with special medical instruments, a section of the skull, also known as the bone flap, is cut to expose and access the brain.
4. Performing the Brain Surgery Craniotomy
The neurosurgeon then operates on the brain, treating the issue. Advanced instruments or techniques may be used to reach critical areas in the brain and solve conditions. For example, brain tumors, blood clots, nerve or blood vessel rupture, swelling or bleeding in the brain, etc.
5. Closing the Skull and Incision
After the main surgery is completed, the bone flap is replaced in its original place. It is secured with surgical plates or screws. Finally, the scalp skin is stitched or stapled back, covering the exposed head.
6. Postoperative Care and Monitoring
After the cranial surgery, the patient remains in the ICU and is continuously monitored. The recovery and brain activity are monitored for signs of potential complications. A patient may stay in the ICU for a few days before moving to a general bed and getting discharged thereafter if and when the doctor sees fit.
Recovery After a Craniotomy
Now you know that craniotomy is not a simple condition. It is generally done for a crucial surgery, and hence, the patient requires specialised care and attention for recovery. Here is what to expect and how to proceed-
Hospital Stay
A patient is generally kept in a hospital for about a week depending on recovery rate and complications. However, post surgery the patient is monitored and treated for pain management and prevention of infection. The patient is also assessed regularly for brain function and activity.
Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy
Brain conditions and disorders leave after effects on patients. While a craniotomy procedure may be used to treat the cause, the patients require rehabilitation to regain normal functions. Mobility, speech, and brain functions require therapy to become normal again which rehabilitation helps with using speech and physiotherapy amongst others.
Returning to Normal Activities
Patients take a few weeks of rehabilitation and sometimes a few months to fully recover. Activities that require a lot of focus and strength and may otherwise cause accidents for example driving, weight training, etc. are not allowed to the patients in recovery till the doctors give clearance.
Medications and Follow-ups
Medicines are prescribed to aid with recovery and manage symptoms. Frequent follow-ups are required after the surgery as the patient is monitored for recovery, healing and complications, if any.
Risks and Complications of a Craniotomy
Being a surgical process, craniotomy carries potential complications and risks. The list includes-
- Infection
- Internal bleeding and blood clots
- Swelling caused by surgery (Edema)
- Seizures
- Temporary or permanent issues with speech, vision, memory, or motor skills.
- Reactions to Anesthesia
Craniotomy Support & Rehabilitation At Olive ElderCare
We at Olive Elder Care are experts in post-surgical health care management of all kinds. With an experienced and qualified team, we understand the patients in the recovery stage of the craniotomy procedure and support them the right way. Often overlooked, our team focuses on the emotional and mental recovery of the craniotomy patients along with the physical recovery.
With a wide range of services such as physiotherapy, mobility support, medication management, counseling and holistic wellness practices, we customize programs for our residents. Our nursing care is focused on providing personalised and focused attention and services to our patients. Our compassionate commitment to recovery and healing allows us to provide a home to the patients while holding their hands through a comfortable journey.
Reach out to Olive Elder Care for post-surgical craniotomy support, expert home care, and dedicated rehabilitation assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What Are the Steps of a Craniotomy?
The craniotomy procedure starts with preoperative tests followed by anesthesia, incision, craniotomy(opening the brain flap), brain surgery and securing back the bone flap. It is completed with stitching the skin back and then keeping the patient in post-operative care.
2. Is Craniotomy a Major Surgery?
Yes. While craniotomy is a part of cranial surgery, any brain surgery is major. The brain, being an extremely vital and sensitive organ, requires careful planning, precision, expertise, and quality care(post-surgery) to be successful.
3. What Is the Purpose of a Craniotomy?
Craniotomy is a surgical process used by neurosurgeons to open a section of the skull to reach the brain, operate on the issue, and then secure the skull portion back to its place. It is used to treat brain conditions such as tumors, aneurysms, bleeding, epilepsy, infections, and trauma-related injuries.
4. What Drugs Are Used in Craniotomy?
Prescription medicines used for craniotomy for recovery include painkillers and anti-seizure drugs. During the process anaesthesia is given to the patients for the surgery. Antibiotics and other medicines may be prescribed by the surgeon post surgery for recovery based on individual requirements.
