MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Brain surgery

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Brain surgery

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative names Definition Description	Indications Risks Expectations after surgery Convalescence

Illustrations

Before and after hematoma repair

Alternative names Return to top

Craniotomy; Surgery - brain; Neurosurgery

Definition Return to top

Brain surgery treats lesions of the brain and its surrounding structures through an opening (craniotomy) in the skull (cranium).

Description Return to top

The hair on part of the scalp is shaved. The scalp is cleansed and prepared for surgery. An incision is made through the scalp and a hole is drilled through the skull. A piece of the skull is removed (usually temporarily) and the surgery is performed, after which the bone is replaced and secured in place.

Indications Return to top

Brain surgery may be needed to treat:

brain tumors
bleeding (hemorrhage) or blood clots (hematomas) from injuries (subdural hematoma or epidural hematomas)
weaknesses in blood vessels (cerebral aneurysms)
arteriovenous malformations (AVM; abnormal blood vessels)
damage to tissues covering the brain (dura)
pockets of infection in the brain (brain abscesses)
severe nerve or facial pain (such as trigeminal neuralgia or tic douloureux)
trauma to the skull and repair of skull fractures

Risks Return to top

Risks for any anesthesia are:

reactions to medications
problems breathing

Risks for any surgery are:

bleeding
infection

Additional risks of brain surgery are:

injury to brain tissue
injury to blood vessels
nerve or muscle paralysis or weakness
loss of mental functions (memory, speech, understanding)

Expectations after surgery Return to top

The results depend greatly on the underlying disease being treated, the general health of the patient, the extent of the procedure and the surgical techniques employed.

Convalescence Return to top

The recovery time varies from 1 to 4 weeks. Full recovery may take up to 8 weeks.

Update Date: 8/10/2003

Updated by: Elaine T. Kiriakopoulos, M.D, MSc, Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard University, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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