Craniotomy for brain tumor removal
Craniotomy (trepanation of the skull) is a traditional option for brain tumor removal. A neurosurgeon removes the upper part of the skull. It provides a good visibility during the surgery and allows removing a tumor completely.
The procedure is conducted under general anesthesia and control of neuronavigation system.
In some cases, the surgery is performed when a patient is conscious. In such a way, a doctor can control the functioning of the patient’s brain during the operation. While a neurosurgeon operates, another doctor or nurse asks a patient questions to check memory, hearing, vision. This technique is called craniotomy in consciousness or awake craniotomy.
The advantages of craniotomy:
- removal of tumors of any size
- higher accuracy of the operation due to neuronavigation.
The disadvantages of the method:
- risk of postoperative complications
- risk of damaging healthy brain tissue
- long rehabilitation period.
Endoscopic brain tumor removal
This is technique for brain surgery when a neurosurgeon removes a tumor through a hole in the skull bone (about 3 cm in diameter). A doctor inserts surgical instruments and a special camera through this opening. It allows completely seeing the formation and surrounding tissues.
The operation is performed under general anesthesia.
The advantages of the method:
- low injury rate
- rapid recovery after surgery.
The endoscopic brain tumor removal is not indicated when a tumor is large.
Tumors of the pituitary are removed through the nasal sinuses.
To find out how much brain tumor surgery costs in your case, submit a request on Bookimed.
Microsurgical removal of a brain tumor
This is the removal of a tumor under the control of neuronavigation.
Neuronavigation is a special system that allows controlling process of operation on the brain. The operation consists of 2 steps.
Step 1: Planning
A patient must undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) of the brain. A doctor loads examination results into a computer navigation station. The system helps choosing the best access type to remove the tumor.
Step 2: Operation
The data loaded into the station and the neurosurgeon's instruments are connected to the patient's brain. A doctor uses special infrared cameras and reflecting frames to make the connection. Neuronavigation detects each movement of a doctor with an error margin of 1 mm. In this case, mistakes are minimal or absent.
The technique is used for craniotomy and endoscopic tumor removal.
The advantages of the operation:
- low injury rate
- low risk of postoperative complications.
The disadvantage of the method: it is not used for tumors located in hard-to-reach places.
Removal of a tumor under the control of neuromonitoring
Neuromonitoring is a system for evaluating basic brain functions. It analyzes such conditions during the surgery:
intracranial pressure
blood flow
metabolism
function of the brain.
During the operation, neuromonitoring controls the brain activity in dynamics. A neurosurgeon receives information about organism vitals in a real time. It helps to prevent damage of healthy brain tissues.
Neuromonitoring is used for craniotomy and endoscopic removal of the brain tumor.
The advantages of the operation:
- low injury rate
- low risk of postoperative complications.
The disadvantage of the method: it is not used for tumors that are located in hard-to-reach places.
If the tumor cannot be removed surgically, a doctor may prescribe radiotherapy. Such techniques as CyberKnife, GammaKnife, Novalis linear accelerator are available in the leading clinics.
The brain tumor surgery cost is determined individually taking into account an operation type, tumor location, patient’s health condition.
