Craniotomy
Articles and resources for Craniotomy in Neurosurgery.
A craniotomy is a surgical procedure that involves removing a portion of the skull to access the brain. This operation is often considered for various reasons, including the need to remove brain tumors, relieve pressure from swelling or bleeding, or repair damaged blood vessels. It may also be performed to treat conditions such as epilepsy or traumatic brain injuries. The decision to undergo a craniotomy typically involves careful evaluation by a neurosurgeon, who assesses the specific medical situation and potential benefits.
During a craniotomy, the patient is usually placed under general anesthesia. The surgeon makes an incision in the scalp and removes a section of the skull, allowing access to the brain. The specific technique may vary based on the underlying condition being treated. Once the procedure is completed, the removed bone is often replaced, and the scalp is stitched up. Recovery may involve a hospital stay, and patients are typically monitored for any complications.
While craniotomy can provide significant benefits, such as alleviating symptoms and improving quality of life, it also carries risks. Potential complications include infection, bleeding, and neurological deficits, which can vary based on the individual’s health and the complexity of the surgery. Understanding these risks and benefits is crucial for patients considering this procedure, as they work closely with their healthcare team to make informed decisions.
Awake Craniotomy During Covid-19: Safety Tips for Patients
This research paper talks about the challenges in performing awake craniotomy surgeries (brain surgeries where the patient is conscious) during the COVID-19 pandemic. These issues arise due to the nee...Awake Craniotomy for Epilepsy: a Safe Option for Challenging Cases
This study compared awake and asleep surgeries for epilepsy to evaluate their safety and effectiveness. The research involved 15 patients who had awake surgery and 30 who had traditional, asleep surge...Awake Craniotomy for Glioma: What Patients Need to Know
This research paper is about a surgical procedure known as awake craniotomy, which is used to remove brain tumors. In this procedure, the patient remains awake and can respond to the surgeons, allowin...Awake Craniotomy in Children: a Safe Option for Brain Surgery
This research paper looks at the use of awake craniotomy in children, a procedure where a patient remains conscious while surgeons operate on their brain. This is normally done when the operation is n...Awake Craniotomy in Children: Safe Brain Surgery for Tumor Removal
This research paper discusses a type of brain surgery, called awake craniotomy, where the patient is kept awake during the procedure. This method is commonly used in adults to avoid post-surgery compl...Awake Craniotomy: a Safe Brain Surgery Option for Patients
This research paper discusses awake craniotomy, a type of brain surgery where the patient is awake. This technique allows doctors to continuously monitor the patient's clinical and neurological status...Awake Craniotomy: Benefits of Electromagnetic Navigation Technology
The research paper discusses the use of an electromagnetic navigation system (specifically, the StealthStation® S7 AxiEM™ system) during awake craniotomy surgeries. This system allows the surgeons to ...Awake Craniotomy: Exploring Memory Recall and Modern Techniques
This research paper looks at the work of Wilder Penfield, a neurosurgeon active from the 1930s to the 1960s, who was known for using electrical brain stimulation (EBS) during surgery when patients wer...Awake Craniotomy: Insights From Japan's Neurosurgery Practices
This study examines the use of awake craniotomy (a type of brain surgery where the patient is awake) in Japan. The researchers sent out a survey to 45 hospitals that perform this type of surgery, and ...Awake Craniotomy: Preserving Executive Functions During Brain Surgery
This research paper reviews the use of awake craniotomy (a surgery where the patient is awake while doctors operate on their brain) and intraoperative brain mapping (a technique used during surgery to...Awake Craniotomy: Preserving Speech During Brain Tumor Surgery
The research paper discusses a neurosurgical procedure called awake craniotomy. This procedure is used when a patient has a brain tumor located near areas of the brain responsible for language. The su...Awake Craniotomy: Safe Non-Invasive Blood Pressure Monitoring Options
This research paper is about a study that was done to see if it's safe to not use invasive blood pressure monitoring during a specific type of brain surgery called an "awake craniotomy," in which the ...Awake Craniotomy: Safety and Efficacy of Anesthetic Options
This research paper is about a study that evaluated the effectiveness of different anesthetic protocols used during awake craniotomy, a type of brain surgery where the patient is conscious. Awake cran...Awake Craniotomy: Understanding Anesthesia Options and Pain Management
This research paper reviews the latest trends in the way anesthetics are managed during awake brain surgery (craniotomy). Two methods are commonly used for anesthesia - one involves putting the patien...Awake Craniotomy: Understanding the Procedure and Patient Experience
This research paper is about a study that was done on awake craniotomies, which are surgeries performed on the brain while the patient is awake. This method allows doctors to check the patient's brain...Awake Craniotomy: What Patients Need to Know About Brain Surgery
This study looks at a type of brain surgery called awake craniotomy (AC), where the patient is conscious for part of the surgery. The researchers examined 46 cases, including both adults and children,...Bifrontal Craniotomy: a Safer Approach to Skull Surgery for Patients
This research paper discusses a surgical procedure called bifrontal craniotomy, commonly used to treat issues in the front part of the skull. This operation, however, can sometimes lead to complicatio...Bone Cement Cranioplasty Reduces Complications After Brain Surgery
This research paper looks at the outcomes of two different types of surgeries for conditions related to the cerebellopontine angle (CPA), a specific area in the brain. The two surgical methods are bon...Craniotomy and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: What Patients Should Know
This research paper aimed to understand whether patients who have previously had either a decompressive craniectomy or a craniotomy (both types of brain surgeries) and then later have a mild traumatic...Craniotomy for Vestibular Schwannoma: Key Surgical Insights
This research paper is about a type of surgery used to treat a certain type of brain tumor called a vestibular schwannoma. The surgery involves making a hole in the skull (craniotomy) in a specific lo...Craniotomy Vs. Craniectomy: Best Surgery for Acute Subdural Hematoma?
The research paper is a study on two types of surgeries - craniotomy and craniectomy - used to treat a serious brain injury known as Acute Subdural Hematoma (ASDH). This condition is most often life-t...Craniotomy Vs. Decompressive Craniectomy for Acute Subdural Hematoma
This research paper compares two surgical procedures for treating acute subdural hematoma (ASDH), a common and severe brain injury condition. The two methods are craniotomy and decompressive craniecto...Craniotomy Vs. Decompressive Craniectomy for Brain Injury Recovery
The research paper discusses a study that compares two different surgical procedures used to treat traumatic acute subdural hematomas, a type of brain injury where blood collects between the brain and...Craniotomy Vs. Decompressive Craniectomy: a Cost-Effectiveness Guide
This research paper compares two types of surgery for acute subdural haematoma (a type of brain bleeding caused by head injury), specifically craniotomy and decompressive craniectomy, in terms of cost...Craniotomy Vs. Neuroendoscopy: What You Need to Know About Brain
This research paper discusses a procedure called Neuroendoscopy (NE) surgery, which is used to treat spontaneous bleeding in the brain. Prior studies suggested that NE didn't really improve functional...Decompressive Craniectomy: a Life-Saving Surgery for Stroke Patients
A stroke is a condition that can cause serious brain damage and even death. In some cases, a stroke can turn malignant, meaning it gets worse over time. This can happen due to swelling in the brain, i...Dr. Collin S. Maccarty and His Impact on Craniotomy Techniques
This paper discusses the life and contributions of Dr. Collin S. MacCarty, a renowned neurosurgeon known for inventing the MacCarty keyhole. The MacCarty keyhole is a method used in brain surgery, spe...Dynamic Telescopic Craniotomy: a New Approach to Brain Surgery
This research paper revolves around a new technique for a type of brain surgery known as craniotomy. In this procedure, a portion of the skull, called a bone flap, is temporarily removed to access the...Emergency Craniotomy for Traumatic Brain Injury in Rural Hospitals
This research paper focuses on the challenges faced by rural or regional hospitals when dealing with major traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Owing to the geographical distance, it's often not possible t...Emergent Craniotomy: a Guide for Rural Hospitals and Surgeons
This research paper discusses a surgical procedure called "emergent craniotomy" which is used for serious head injuries, especially in rural and regional settings. This method, first presented by Kenn...Enhanced Recovery After Craniotomy: Benefits and Challenges Explained
This research paper is about a medical procedure called Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS), specifically for craniotomy, which is a type of brain surgery. ERAS is a set of steps that doctors follo...Enhancing Patient Comfort During Awake Craniotomy: Strategies and Benefits
This research paper discusses the experiences of patients who are awake during brain surgery (called an awake craniotomy). It is crucial for such patients to stay alert and focused during the operatio...Evolution of Craniotomy Techniques for Safer Brain Surgery
In the early days of brain surgery, due to poor lighting, limited ability to see what was happening and lack of accurate diagnoses before surgery, large and invasive procedures were common. These coul...Eyebrow Vs. Eyelid Craniotomy: Which Approach Is Safer for Patients?
This research paper is a review and analysis of past studies on two surgical techniques used to treat brain illnesses: the eyebrow supraorbital craniotomy and the eyelid supraorbital craniotomy. These...Fungal Infections After Craniotomy in Dogs: Causes and Treatments
The study talks about three dogs that had chronic nasal issues and nosebleeds, which began over 100 days after they had brain surgery to treat brain tumors or a related condition. CT scans showed that...Hearing Preservation After Retrosigmoid Craniotomy for Vestibular
This research paper is a detailed review of the many medical studies that have been conducted on the treatment of vestibular schwannomas (VS), which are benign (non-cancerous) tumors that grow on the ...Hinge Craniotomy Vs. Decompressive Craniectomy: a Surgical Comparison
This study looks at different surgical methods for managing increased pressure in the skull, a condition that can happen due to things like brain injury or swelling. The most common method is called d...Immediate Titanium Mesh Cranioplasty After Brain Surgery Infection
This research paper examined the use of immediate titanium mesh reconstruction after the removal of a piece of skull bone due to infection after brain surgery. Normally, the reconstructive surgery is ...Impact of Craniotomy on Oral Health and Quality of Life After Surgery
This research paper is about the effects of certain types of brain surgery on patients' oral health and quality of life. The surgeries in question often involve manipulating a muscle in the temple are...Impact of Craniotomy Size on Complications in Moyamoya Surgery
This research paper investigates the role of the size of a craniotomy, which is a surgical operation where part of the skull is removed, in the frequency of complications during and after surgery for ...Impact of Frailty on Craniotomy Outcomes: What Patients Should Know
This research paper is a detailed examination of how frailty, or physical weakness, can impact the outcomes of patients who have undergone craniotomy surgery - a procedure in which a part of the skull...Improved Pterional Craniotomy: a Cosmetic-Friendly Approach
Pterional craniotomy is a common surgical procedure in neurosurgery, which traditionally involves creating a hole (known as the MacCarty keyhole) in the skull. However, this can lead to a visible depr...Improving Patient Satisfaction in Awake Craniotomy Through Preoperative
This research paper discusses the experiences of patients who are awake during brain surgery (called an awake craniotomy). It is crucial for such patients to stay alert and focused during the operatio...Ischemic Optic Neuropathy After Craniotomy: a Rare Case Study
This research paper discusses a case where a young patient developed a serious vision impairment called ischemic optic neuropathy after undergoing brain surgery for a recurring type of tumor called me...Managing Frontal Sinus Complications After Craniotomy Surgery
This research paper discusses the complications that can arise in the frontal sinuses (cavities located in the forehead) after certain types of brain surgery, and how these can be treated using endosc...Minimally Invasive Craniotomy: Understanding Keyhole Brain Surgery
This research paper reviews previous studies on "keyhole" brain surgeries - minimally invasive procedures that use a small hole to access the brain. Three types of these surgeries are considered: mini...Minimally Invasive Puncture Vs. Craniotomy for Brain Bleeding Recovery
This study compared two types of brain surgery: a less invasive procedure where a small hole is made (minimally invasive puncture) and the traditional, more invasive method where a larger piece of the...Minimally Invasive Surgery for Brain Hemorrhage: Better Outcomes
This research paper compares the outcomes of two types of surgeries for patients with a specific type of brain hemorrhage. The first is minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and the second is a more tradit...Monitoring Brain Function During Awake Craniotomy: Latest Techniques
This research paper is about the ways doctors monitor the brain's functions during awake brain surgery, which is important for maintaining patients' cognitive abilities and quality of life after the o...Neuronavigation and Piezosurgery: Safer Craniotomy for Patients
Craniotomy, a procedure that involves opening the skull, is a common surgical procedure but it can lead to serious complications. A new technique called piezosurgery (PS) uses a blade that vibrates at...New Craniotomy Blade Shows Faster, Stronger Performance in Surgery
This research paper is about a comparison of two types of blades used in craniotomies, a type of brain surgery where a portion of the skull, called a bone flap, is removed to access the brain. The two...New Craniotomy Technique Reduces Surgery Time and Costs for Patients
This research paper discusses a new surgical technique for operating on the skull. Presently, most neurosurgeons use motorized drills to lift a section of bone from the skull (a process known as a cra...New Surgical Method for Treating Chronic Subdural Hematoma
This research paper discusses a new surgical method for treating Chronic Subdural Hematoma (CSDH), a common brain condition that typically requires surgery. The patient in this case study had already ...Non-ICU Care After Craniotomy: Benefits for Patients and Hospitals
This research paper is a systematic review of existing studies on patients who received non-intensive care unit (non-ICU) care after an elective craniotomy (an operation to open the skull). Traditiona...Outcomes of Re-Do Craniotomy for Recurrent Brain Cancer Patients
This research paper looks at the results of a specific type of surgery called a re-do craniotomy, which is performed on patients with recurring cancer that has spread to the brain (cranial metastases)...Outpatient Craniotomy for Brain Tumors: Benefits and Considerations
This research paper discusses the use of outpatient brain tumor surgery, a method which allows patients to leave the hospital on the same day as their operation. Technological advancements and new ane...Piezosurgery for Lateral Suboccipital Craniotomy: a Safe Approach
The research paper discusses a new surgical technique called Piezosurgery (PS). This method uses micro-vibrations generated by the piezoelectric effect to precisely cut bone tissue while preserving th...Psychological Effects of Awake Craniotomy on Brain Tumor Patients
This research examined the psychological effects of awake craniotomy (a surgery performed on the brain while the patient is awake) on 20 patients with brain tumors. The study looked at their psycholog...Same-Day Craniotomy: Benefits and Considerations for Patients
This paper discusses the increasing use of same-day surgeries for brain procedures, made possible by advancements in technology and medicine. This includes the use of imaging to guide minimally invasi...Same-Day Discharge After Craniotomy: What Patients Need to Know
This research paper focuses on the idea of patients undergoing a craniotomy (a surgical operation where a bone flap is temporarily removed from the skull to access the brain) being discharged from the...Same-Day Neurosurgery: What You Need to Know About Awake Craniotomy
This research paper looks at recent developments in same-day neurosurgery, which is a type of surgery on the brain or spinal cord that allows a patient to go home on the same day as the procedure. The...Smaller Craniotomy for Epilepsy: Effective Electrode Placement Options
This research paper discusses a study examining the size of surgical openings, or craniotomies, needed for the placement of subdural grid electrodes in patients with epilepsy. Traditionally, large ope...The Evolution of Craniotomy: a Historical Overview of Brain Surgery
This paper discusses the history and evolution of a surgical procedure called a craniotomy. A craniotomy is a surgical operation where a part of the skull, or the 'cranium', is removed to access the b...The Evolution of Craniotomy: From Ancient Rituals to Modern Surgery
This research paper discusses the historical relationship between neurosurgery, specifically the procedure known as trephination, and religion and culture. Trephination is a surgical operation where a...Timing Blood Thinners After Craniotomy: What Patients Should Know
This research paper is about the best time to start or restart blood-thinning medication after brain surgery. Starting this treatment too early might increase the risk of dangerous brain bleeding. How...Understanding Anesthesia in Supratentorial Craniotomy Surgery
This research paper is about understanding how anesthesia affects the brain during a specific type of brain surgery called supratentorial craniotomies. It is important to know how anesthesia influence...Understanding Anesthesia Management in Awake Brain Surgery: a Review
This research paper is a review of recent clinical studies about the best ways to manage anesthesia during awake craniotomy (AC), a type of brain surgery where the patient is awake. The authors looked...Understanding Anesthesia Methods for Awake Brain Surgery: a Review
This research paper is a review of recent clinical studies about the best ways to manage anesthesia during awake craniotomy (AC), a type of brain surgery where the patient is awake. The authors looked...Understanding Awake Craniotomy: Risks of Intraoperative Seizures
This research paper discusses Awake Craniotomy (AC), a procedure that's becoming more common for brain tumor surgery. This type of surgery is done when the patient is awake, which allows the surgeons ...Understanding Blood Clot Risks After Craniotomy for Brain Tumors
This study looked at patients who had brain surgery to remove tumors, because they are at a higher risk of developing blood clots in their veins (venous thromboembolism or VTE). The researchers analyz...Understanding Bone Flap Infections After Craniotomy Surgery
This research paper looks at bone flap infections (BFIs), which can happen after brain surgery, but are often not properly defined or differentiated from other types of surgical infections. The goal o...Understanding Brain Relaxation During Craniotomy: What Patients Need
The term "brain relaxation" refers to the size and firmness of the brain tissue during a brain operation. It's a key factor in the field of neuroanesthesia, impacting the operation process, potential ...Understanding Craniotomy for Safe Meningioma Removal Surgery
This research paper discusses meningiomas - the most common type of primary brain tumor that occurs outside the brain substance itself. Although these tumors often grow slowly and are not highly aggre...Understanding Craniotomy for Suprasellar Tumors in Children
This research paper discusses a surgical procedure called craniotomy that is often used to remove tumors located in the suprasellar region of the brain in children. This region is located above the op...Understanding Craniotomy: Ancient Tools and Their Modern Implications
This research paper is about a tool known as the lenticular that was used in ancient times to cut into the skull, a process known as trepanation. The lenticular was first introduced by a physician nam...Understanding Craniotomy: Historical Uses and Forensic Insights
This research paper discusses how craniotomies, which are surgical openings into the skull, have been used throughout history for various purposes such as autopsies, dissections, embalming, and traini...Understanding Craniotomy: How Cutting Techniques Affect Recovery
This study is about how different tools and methods of cutting affect the skull during a craniotomy, which is a surgical operation where a piece of the skull is removed to access the brain. The resear...Understanding Craniotomy: Techniques to Minimize Surgical
This research paper is about a study where surgeons performed a procedure called a craniotomy (a surgical operation to open the skull) on 46 pigs. This kind of procedure is useful for scientific resea...Understanding Craniotomy: Unusual Visual Symptoms From Chewing
This research paper discusses two unique cases of patients experiencing unusual visual symptoms triggered by chewing due to defects in the bony outer wall of their eye sockets. One 57-year-old man rep...Understanding Frontotemporo-Orbito-Zygomatic Craniotomy for Patients
This research paper discusses a common type of skull surgery called fronto-temporo-orbito-zygomatic (FTOZ) craniotomy. This method has been developed over time from a similar surgery called pterional ...Understanding Headaches After Craniotomy: Causes and Solutions
This research paper sought to better understand the frequency and causes of headaches after skull surgery. The study included more than 300 patients who underwent a specific type of skull surgery at s...Understanding Heat Damage to the Blood-Brain Barrier During Craniotomy
This research study aimed to understand how easily the blood-brain barrier (BBB) can be affected when the skull is drilled during a craniotomy procedure in rats. This procedure is used to implant micr...Understanding Heat Risks to the Brain During Craniotomy Procedures
This research study aimed to understand how easily the blood-brain barrier (BBB) can be affected when the skull is drilled during a craniotomy procedure in rats. This procedure is used to implant micr...Understanding Mental Health Effects After Awake Craniotomy for Tumors
This research paper discusses the aftermath of a medical procedure known as Awake Craniotomy (AC). This operation, often used to remove brain tumors, allows doctors to take out as much of the tumor as...Understanding Salvage Decompressive Craniotomy: a More Adequate Approach
This research paper discusses a surgical procedure called salvage decompressive craniotomy. This operation is usually performed as a follow-up to a previous craniotomy when complications arise. This p...Understanding Seizure Risks During Awake Craniotomy Surgery
This research paper looks at the occurrence of seizures during awake brain surgeries (also known as Awake Craniotomies or AC). These types of surgeries have potential advantages compared to those perf...Understanding Stroke Risk After Craniotomy in Children: Key Insights
This research paper examines the occurrence of stroke after brain surgery in children. The researchers looked at cases between 2010 and 2017 where surgery was performed and a stroke occurred afterward...Understanding the Role of Il-10 in Post-Surgery Brain Infections
This research paper delves into the issue of infections that occur following brain surgery, specifically focusing on those caused by the bacteria known as Staphylococcus aureus. It's a big problem bec...Understanding the Safety of Repeat Awake Brain Surgeries: a Study Analysis
This research paper studied the safety and outcomes of performing a second awake brain surgery, known as a "redo" surgery. Awake brain surgery is a procedure where the patient is conscious during the ...Understanding Unplanned Second Craniotomy After Traumatic Brain Injury
This study looked at the reasons why some patients with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) need a second unplanned brain surgery, and what risk factors might predict this. The researchers studied 219 pati...Using Vancomycin After Craniotomy to Prevent Surgical Infections
This research paper is all about looking at whether applying a drug named vancomycin on the surgical site after a type of brain surgery called a craniotomy can help reduce the risk of infections at th...