The brain coordinates and controls unconsciousness and consciousness of body functions. It includes as the higher functions, such as:
- memory
- learning
- thinking
The brain is susceptible to various risks, such as:
- bleeding
- infection
- trauma
- other forms of damage
The change or damage in brain function needs neurosurgery or brain surgery to treat those problems. The most common conditions that a person needs brain surgery are:
- brain cancer
- stroke
- hydrocephalus
Brain conditions like these should not be ignored. It causes brain damage. A craniotomy is an open skull operation. It is done to access the brain for surgical repair.
Symptoms of conditions that require brain surgery
Brain surgery is a serious medical matter in which symptoms of conditions need to operate as early as possible. However, it always depends on the severity and type of the conditions. Here is a list of general symptoms that need brain surgery:
- Drowsiness
- Headache
- Nausea
- Seizures
- Vomiting
Brain conditions that require brain surgery
The three types of brain conditions that need brain surgery are:
-
- Alterations of the brain tissue. The condition occurs when a patient suffers from:
- brain cancer
- infections
- swelling (oedema)
- Alterations in brain blood flow. It happens when a patient has the following conditions:
- subdural haematoma
- subarachnoid hemorrhage
- intraventricular bleed
- Alteration in cerebrospinal fluid. Patients who experience such conditions:
- nfection
- hydrocephalus
- Alterations of the brain tissue. The condition occurs when a patient suffers from:
What happens in craniotomy?
Craniotomy is said to be a delicate medical operation performed on the brain. It is a type of brain surgery that performs surgical repair. The patient will be under general anesthesia, as the usual aid before the surgery starts.
In the surgery, the hair on the scalp will be shaved. Shaving the head is needed so that the surgeon can easily open the skull and avoid difficulties during the operation. The neurosurgeon first cuts through the scalp on the area where the brain injury lies. The hole is cut into the skull, it is normally done to access the brain.
The procedure is done to repair possible ruptured blood vessels and to remove the blood clot. Once the operation is finished, the bone removed will be replaced. The skin and muscles will be stitched. A drain will be placed in the brain to remove possible excess blood.
Patients should be aware that there are possible complications after surgery. These complications may include:
- anesthetic allergic reaction
- bleeding
- infection
- brain damage
- brain swelling
- stroke
- seizures
However, these complications have no high percentage. It always depends on how the patient’s body would react to the surgery.
Is brain surgery painful?
Many are asking this question. Interestingly, the brain and skull have no pain nerves. Therefore, head surgery is painless. Many patients are scared of having brain surgery because they think of the pain it takes.
General anesthesia makes the surgery painless as it makes the skin on the scalp numb. Therefore, the patient will never feel the pain during the surgery.
The brain is one part of the CNS of the human body. It needs to pay attention, especially under serious conditions.