Neurosurgery is one of the main and reliable treatment options to treat people who have been diagnosis of a Brain tumor. The surgery is a way to completely remove the tumor. Neurosurgery for brain tumors is performed either on the brain or on the spinal cord, depending on the condition.
Reasons for conducting neurosurgery to treat brain tumors:
- Surgery can have several purposes:
- For diagnosis of the type of tumor
- For removing the tumor (completely or partial)
- To insert chemotherapy drugs into the brain
- To reduce tumor-related conditions
Types of surgeries to treat brain tumors:
Biopsy: This is usually performed to test the type of tumor. For this, the neurosurgeon will collect a small sample of the tumor tissue, and then examine it. Based on the biopsy reports, the healthcare team will decide on the type of treatment that the patient needs.
Craniotomy: The term craniotomy literally means ‘hole in the skull’. This century-long procedure helps the neurosurgeon in accessing the condition of the access to your brain. Craniotomy is considered as the most common type of brain tumor surgery to remove tumors (complete or partial).
The surgery is performed when the patient is awake if the tumor is close to the brain or if it involving the areas of brain which control primary functions. When the patient is in senses, the doctor will be able to map the areas using an electrical probe. The surgery is also conducted when the patient is asleep, if the tumor is in areas that aren’t linked with primary functions of the brain.
Fitting stunts: Patients with brain tumors usually suffer from a lot of killer-headaches. These headaches usually occur because of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). A person with brain tumor often suffers with CSF build-up and this affects circulation. Neurosurgeons perform a surgery to place a stunt in the area to clear this build-up.
The stunt is inserted through the skull and into the brain so the excess fluid drains away. The top portion of the stunt that goes through the brain is called as the ventricular catheter, it directly runs into the CSF that is present in the ventricles. One important point to remember is that the shunt isn’t a cure for a brain tumor, but it gives relief from the symptoms.
After the surgery
The patient will be kept in the observation room post the surgery and they will be given special care under the supervision of highly skilled experts. The patient will be given a special diet and medication to encourage recovery. The team of experts will instruct some care instructions so the patient doesn’t develop any allergies.
Neurosurgery is a major procedure and the patient will take a lot of time to fully recover from it. For a speedy recovery with no complications, the patient is advised to go for follow-ups on a regular basis.
For such expert care and excellent advice on Neurosurgery and related concerns, approach the experts at Gunam Super Speciality Hospital.
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