What is Brain Surgery?

Brain surgery is a medical procedure that treats brain abnormality or problems in and around the brain. The brain is a component of the central nervous system, which is responsible for your speech, movement, thinking, and memory. Brain surgery treats the underlying conditions of the brain, on or around the brain, without interfering with important bodily functions.

Brain surgery can be performed for a variety of reasons. For example, if you have seizures, the surgeon may remove a portion of your brain. If you have a tumor on the brain, the surgeon may operate to remove the tumor. The surgeon may relieve pressure on the brain, such as from blood or increased spinal fluid. The surgeon may also treat aneurysms of abnormal blood vessels.

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Why it's done

Brain surgery can be used to treat or manage a variety of conditions, including:

• Aneurysm

• Brain tumor

• Epilepsy

• Hemorrhage

• Hydrocephalus

• Nerve damage

• Parkinson's disease

• Stroke

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

• Skull fracture

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How you prepare

Your healthcare provider will conduct a physical exam and blood tests to ensure you are healthy enough for brain surgery. They may also perform imaging tests such as

• MRIs (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

• CT (Computed Tomography) scans

• PET scans (Positron Emission Tomography)

• Angiography

These imaging tests create detailed images of your brain's tissues, nerves, and blood vessels. These images help your surgeon identify the areas that require treatment.

Your surgeon will provide you with information about the following:

• Making changes to your health prior to brain surgery

• If you smoke tobacco, it is recommended to stop smoking several weeks prior to brain surgery. Smoking can increase the risk of surgery complications and make it more difficult for you to recover.

• Some patients may need to take steroids to reduce swelling before brain surgery.

• Taking antibiotics reduces the risk of infection post-surgery.

• Taking anti-epileptic drugs reduces the chance of seizures occurring after brain surgery.

• If you take blood thinners, it may be necessary to stop taking them a few days to a week before brain surgery.

• During and after the procedure, your surgeon will brief you on the details of the operation, answer any queries you may have, and explain the potential side effects. The length of time you will need to recover depends on the kind of surgery you have. You may also need to undergo neurological rehabilitation.

What you can expect

During Brain Surgery:

During brain surgery, the procedure differs depending on the kind of brain surgery needed. The surgeon will explain the procedure to you before your surgery date.

• You will be given anesthesia by an anesthesiologist.

• The surgeon will shave the area around the incision.

• After shaving the area, the surgeon will clean the area.

• The surgeon will make a surgical incision into the skin. The surgeon will cut and move the tissue and tissue.

• The surgeon will make holes in the skull bone using a surgical bone cutting drill bit.

• The surgeon will remove a portion of the skull.

• The surgeon will treat the brain. The treatment may include tumor removal, pressure relief, or repair of blood vessels.

• The surgeon will then replace the portion of the skull that was removed and secure it with plates or screws.

• The surgeon will move the muscles and tissues back into place and make a final incision in the skin.

After Brain Surgery:

You will be hospitalised for observation after brain surgery. In the case of less invasive procedures, such as endovascular surgeries, you may only need to be hospitalized for one or two days. However, in the case of open craniotomies, you may need to be hospitalised for up to ten days.

After open brain surgery, your care team may need to place you in intensive care overnight so they can monitor your vital signs.

While in the hospital, you may experience tiredness, soreness or a headache. During your recovery, your care team will provide you with medications to help ease your discomfort. Your healthcare provider may also recommend that you continue taking the medications prescribed to you prior to your surgery to ensure you do not develop complications during your recovery. 

Your brain will be subject to regular imaging tests after surgery.

Your care team will also schedule appointments with you over the next few days, weeks, and months to keep track of your healing progress.

Your recovery may include physical therapy, speech and language therapy, and occupational therapy.

Benefits/Risks

Benefits:

• Brain surgery can save lives,

• Treat underlying medical conditions

• Remove a tumor

• Reduce pressure on the brain

• Repair a brain abnormality

  
  

  
  

​Risks and complications of brain surgery:

• Bleeding

• Infection

• Reactions to anaesthesia

• Headaches

• Aphasia

• Brain swelling

• Confusion or delirium

• Dizziness

• Problems with movement or balance

Long-term risks include:

• Behavioural changes

• Brain damage

• Difficulty walking

• Memory loss

• Speech problems

• Weakness in arms or legs

Brain surgery recovery and outlook

How long does brain surgery take?

Your brain surgery recovery depends on the type and extent of the surgery. Generally, a less invasive brain surgery will take several weeks to recover, while an open brain surgery can take six weeks to a few months.Your surgeon will provide you with an estimate of how long it will take you to feel fully recovered.

When can I go back to work and resume normal activities?

It is important to consult your healthcare provider as soon as possible after brain surgery. They may have specific recommendations for you based on your type of surgery. It is important to visit your healthcare provider in the weeks, months, and even years after your surgery for imaging tests to track your healing progress.