I can provide information regarding brain surgery, often known as neurosurgery, as of my most recent update in September 2021. In the medical field of neurosurgery, illnesses affecting the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves, are identified, treated, and managed. It is a sensitive and complicated area of medicine that calls for specialized knowledge and skill.
Some common reasons for brain surgery include:
Surgery may be required to remove the tumor or reduce its size in order to relieve pressure on the brain. Brain tumors can be benign or malignant.
Treatment for epilepsy: Surgery to remove the area of the brain that causes seizures may be an option in some cases of severe epilepsy that are not responding to medicines.
Treatment for hydrocephalus: The condition of hydrocephalus causes an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain, increasing pressure. Insertion of a shunt during brain surgery may be necessary to relieve pressure and drain extra fluid.
Brain trauma: To treat bleeding, edema, or skull fractures caused by severe head injuries, emergency brain surgery may be necessary.
Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders: Deep brain stimulation (DBS), a surgical treatment that includes implanting electrodes into particular regions of the brain, may be used to treat some movement disorders that do not respond to medicine.
Surgical intervention may be necessary to treat the Chiari malformation, a disorder in which the spinal canal is invaded by brain tissue, putting pressure on the brain and spinal cord.
Techniques with a low degree of invasiveness: Over the years, developments in medical technology have resulted in the creation of techniques with a low degree of invasiveness for brain surgery. Smaller incisions and specialized tools used in these procedures lead to less damage to the surrounding brain tissue, quicker recovery times, and maybe fewer issues. Endoscopy or robotic assistance are sometimes used in minimally invasive procedures to access and treat particular brain disorders.
Awake brain surgery: In some circumstances, such as when the brain injury is close to crucial functioning parts of the brain (such as the language or motor regions), the patient may experience “awake brain surgery.” The patient is responsive and only partially asleep throughout this procedure when the neurosurgeon performs brain surgery. With the patient actively involved, the surgeon is able to keep an eye on and protect vital functions while removing the tumor or treating the ailment.
Neuroendoscopy: During neuroendoscopy treatments, a small incision in the skull is used to reach the brain and treat diseases. The endoscope is a thin, flexible tube with a camera and light source. For disorders such hydrocephalus, intraventricular tumors, and cysts, neuroendoscopy is frequently employed.
Laser energy is used in the minimally invasive laser interstitial thermal treatment (LITT) to heat and kill aberrant brain tissue. Certain brain tumors, epilepsy, and other disorders in deep brain areas are frequently treated with it.
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has showed promise in the treatment of a number of neurological and psychiatric illnesses, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), major depression, and essential tremor, in addition to treating movement abnormalities, as was previously indicated.
Using robotic equipment, neurosurgeons can execute intricate brain operations with more dexterity and precision. These robotic surgical devices work in conjunction with customary surgical procedures and are intended to support rather than replace the surgeon.
Rehabilitation and post-operative care: Brain surgery is only one step in the healing process. Patients frequently need continued medical care and rehabilitation following surgery in order to maximize their recovery and raise their quality of life.
It’s critical to keep in that not all brain disorders call for surgical intervention because brain is a highly specialized and complex subject. The exact ailment, its severity, the patient’s general health, and the medical team’s level of skill will all influence the treatment strategy. For individualized guidance and treatment choices, always seek the opinion of trained healthcare specialists.
