A brain surgeon treats various conditions, from tumors and aneurysms to brain injuries and other conditions involving the brain. Receiving one of these conditions is not easy to hear, nor is the knowledge that you will need surgery to treat it. However, our surgical team will be with you every step of the way to make sure you are comfortable with the process. Knowing what to expect and working with an experienced and caring team will help ensure your procedure is a success.
Working with a qualified brain surgeon helps eliminate much of the anxiety surrounding this type of surgery. The patient is in the hands of someone with in-depth knowledge and experience involving diagnostics and surgery of the brain. Also known as a neurosurgeon, a brain surgeon must graduate from medical school and complete a one-year internship in general surgery. After this, the enter a five to seven-year residency program in neurosurgery. In addition, this individual is supported by a team of individuals assisting with the process and working to ensure patient safety.
There are several reasons why someone might need brain surgery. One of the most common is the removal of a tumor or growth in the brain. Other common reasons for brain surgery include:
Some people may need brain surgery to treat a condition known as hydrocephalus, which is an accumulation of fluid in the brain that can cause pressure and damage to brain tissue if left untreated.
Brain surgery comes in several forms with varying levels of invasiveness. One of the most common types is craniotomy, which involves removing a portion of the skull to access the brain and perform a procedure. Another type is a biopsy, where a small tissue segment is removed from the brain for examination. Other procedures include shunt placement to relieve pressure from fluid buildup in the brain and deep brain stimulation or DBS to treat conditions like Parkinson's.
A lot of careful planning on the part of the brain surgeon goes into surgery. Their team will perform physical examinations and blood tests to ensure the patient is healthy for surgery. The surgeon may also order imaging tests to get detailed pictures of the patient's brain and vessels. The surgeon will advise the patient on what medications and activities to avoid before surgery. In addition, the brain surgeon may prescribe patients medications such as antiepileptic drugs or antibiotics.
The surgeon will review with patients what to expect from surgery beforehand. However, each patient's surgical experience will differ based on the surgery's extent and the patient's circumstances. Brain surgery can last anywhere from one to several hours. Some surgeries require general anesthesia or sedation, while others require the patient to be awake to see how they respond to stimuli. Either way, our team closely monitors the patients and makes every effort to keep them safe, calm, and comfortable.
After surgery, the patient stays in the hospital for observation for two to 10 days. This observation period will vary based on the surgery and how the patient is healing and responding. This observation period will include medication management and regular imaging tests to see how the patient is healing. The aftercare and follow-up appointment schedule will also vary by patient. Those needing rehabilitation after surgery can expect a longer recovery period.
If you are intimidated by the idea of brain surgery, you are not alone. However, we at Brain and Spine Neuroscience Institute want you to know that our team approaches each patient with expert care and decades of experience in neurosurgery. Let us put you at ease and get you the care you need. To learn more about working with a brain surgeon, call us today.
Request an appointment here: https://www.brainandspineni.com or call Brain and Spine Neuroscience Institute at (813) 751-2029for an appointment in our Palm Harbor office.
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