Perhaps no type of surgery elicits such a strong reaction among friends and family members as the idea of a loved one facing brain surgery. The good news is that more people are able to recover successfully than ever in our history. Here are some things about the procedure that you should know.
Brain surgery is performed to patients in order to treat a type of damage or lesions in the brain and the affected areas around it. This is done by first shaving and cleaning the scalp. The surgeon will then make an incision in the scalp in order to be able to drill a hole in the skull. This drilled part of the skull will be removed temporarily so that the surgeon can access the part of the brain that needs to be treated. It will then be replaced after the procedure as well as the scalp.
Brain surgery is done in cases when the patient has to be cured of brain tumors, brain hemorrhage, and cerebral aneurysms or if the patient has weak blood vessels in the brain. Aside from a weak blood vessel, there is also the case of an abnormal blood vessel. This is a condition known as arteriovenous malformation. Brain surgery is also necessary to repair damage to tissue covering the brain. It is also needed to remove pockets of infection in the brain or to relieve severe nerve or facial pain like trigeminal neuralgia and tic douloureux. This type of surgery is also done to repair skull fractures and remove trauma of the skull.
Brain surgery is a very delicate procedure. It is only performed when there are no other options left. During such operation, there is the risk of bleeding and infection to the brain. This is why it has to be done in utmost care and consideration. Aside from such risks mentioned, the patient may also be prone to injury of brain tissue and blood vessel. Paralysis or weakness of the nerves or muscles may also occur. The most critical complication can be loss of mental functions such as memory, speech and understanding although some cases may only be temporary. Most brain surgeries are done without too much time to decide about it, such as in medical cases that need urgent attention. Another critical part is after the operations. Post operation care is very vital to the patient. Somebody has to be really dedicated in caring for the patient who had undergone brain surgery.