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Craniotomy Surgery
- Days In Hospital 5 days
- Outside Hospital Stay 15 days
- Success Rate %
Minimum Cost
$ 4500
Maximum Cost.
$ 8000
Most Asked Procedures
Overview of Craniotomy Surgery in India
A craniotomy is a surgical operation where a section of the skull bone is excised to gain access to the brain. Specialized surgical instruments are required for removal of the bone in a flap-like manner; as it is referred to as a bone flap. The bone flap of the skull is excised for the brain surgery and placed back in position once the surgery is completed. The craniotomy procedure may often be utilized with state-of-the-art technology of computer imaging which allows the surgeon to navigate to the targeted area of the brain.
The advanced technology allows the surgeon to visualize the tumor from 3 sides while extracting the tumor accurately. Therefore, the surgeon is able to destroy the tumor cells while minimizing injury to healthy tissue in the surrounding area. The craniotomy procedure is performed for the management of certain conditions such as tumors in the brain and can also be used for a diagnostic procedure such as a biopsy to rule out the presence of cancer.
The surgical procedure of craniotomy is a risky procedure that has some risk factors and complications associated with it. It is strongly recommended to prevent these complications from happening before they happen because the brain is the sensitive part of the human body and these complications could cause permanent, irreversible damage.
What Is A Craniotomy?
To access your brain, a neurosurgeon will perform a craniotomy, a type of brain surgery, in which they will open and remove a portion of your skull. The surgeon will reapply the piece of your skull during the same procedure. One necessary procedure is a craniotomy. After a catastrophic brain injury or a brain tumour is diagnosed as a potentially fatal condition, a surgeon typically considers this kind of treatment.
What Is The Difference Between A Craniotomy And A Craniectomy?
Although craniotomy and craniectomy both refer as a form of brain surgery, they are different surgeries. A craniotomy is a procedure that removes and replaces a portion of your skull to access your brain. Similarly, a craniectomy will remove a piece of the skull, but the piece of the skull that was removed is not put back into place after the surgery. You may require a subsequent procedure called a cranioplasty to replace the part of your skull that was removed.
Types of Craniotomy Surgery:
There are various types of craniotomies, each named for the surgical technique or site:
- Craniotomy using stereotactic
- Craniotomy by endoscopic
- Craniotomy while awake
- Craniotomy using a keyhole
- Craniotomy of the supraorbital eyebrows
- Frontotemporal pterional craniotomy
- Craniotomy via orbitozygomatic
- Craniotomy of the translabyrinthine
- Craniotomy of the posterior fossa
- A craniotomy of the bifrontal
Many different surgical techniques can be used for brain surgery depending on the location and type of brain condition. All techniques have unique benefits and are selected based on a patient’s diagnosis, the tumor or lesion's location, and other individual factors.
From less invasive approaches requiring smaller incisions to more open procedures with greater access, it is beneficial for anyone having surgery to understand that differences exist. Craniotomy surgery has different forms based on the location of the trauma and the type of condition addressed with surgery. The primary types include:
Extended Bifrontal Craniotomy
In this craniotomy surgical approach, a large section of the frontal bone is removed to gain access to the brain. The procedure provides excellent visualization of the frontal lobes, which is the brain area responsible for functions such as decision-making, personality, and body movements. This procedure is most often used in the treatment of larger or complex brain tumors and other indications requiring a more extensive access of the brain regions in the frontal areas.
Minimally Invasive Supra-orbital "eyebrow" Craniotomy
This is a less invasive way of performing the procedure in which a small incision is made above the eyebrow to access the brain. This specialized type of keyhole craniotomy is used for treating conditions in the anterior and middle parts of the brain, such as specific brain tumors or aneurysms. The minimally invasive aspect is to limit damage to the surrounding tissues and reduce recovery times compared to standard craniotomies.
Retro-Sigmoid "Keyhole" Craniotomy
The retro-sigmoid, or "keyhole" craniotomy is another minimally invasive approach to performing a craniotomy. This craniotomy uses a small opening behind the ear to access the brain. Typically this is performed for conditions impacting the side of the brain, like the removal of an acoustic neuroma. The keyhole design allows for less tissue disruption compared to larger craniotomies, resulting in a quicker recovery.
Orbitozygomatic Craniotomy
This craniotomy involves removing a piece of bon that includes both the zygomatic arch and orbital rim. This craniotomy accesses the anterior and middle cranial fossa and is often performed for complex tumors, aneurysms, or other conditions that may have developed in that location. Orbitozygomatic craniotomies require special training and expertise due to the adjacent critical structures (eye, optic nerve correct to wording?) and the specialized dissection required to safely access brain tissue in the anterior and middle cranial fossa.
Translabyrinthine Craniotomy
This craniotomy accesses the brain via the inner ear (labyrinth) to reach the cerebellopontine angle. This approach is mainly used to access and remove acoustic neuromas or vestibular tumors that present adjacent to the multiple balance and hearing nerves. The translabyrinthine access provides a direct access to the tumor limiting the risk of injury to surrounding brain tissue.
Procedure:
The following is the basic steps of craniotomy:
Anesthesia is administered to minimise discomfort and pain during the procedure. The anesthesia will either anesthetize the whole body or simply the area involved with the surgery.
Positioning: Once under the anesthesia, the patient will be positioned in a certain way on the operating table to allow access to the area of the brain to be treated.
Head Shaving and Sterile Prep: The surgeon shaves the scalp in the area of the incision and prepares the surgical field to decrease the risk of infection.
Incision: An incision will be made precisely where it was planned. Depending on the type of craniotomy and the area of the brain the surgeon is treating, this incision can vary in size and location.
Flap Removal: The surgeon than uses a high-speed drill to remove a piece of skull, creating a bone flap. The flap is then removed to expose the dura mater, the protective covering of the brain.
Opening of the Dura: A cut is made to the dura mater to gain access to provoke the brain tissue lying beneath so that subsequent surgery is performed through that window for processes like tumor excision and vascular repair.
Brain Operation: The appropriate operation is performed while the brain is exposed, like tumor removal, removal of abnormal brain tissue, or another procedure.
Hemostasis: While the surgery is performed, the surgical team is careful to control bleeding, to maintain visualization as well as to prevent excessive blood loss.
Closure of Dura: After the procedures involving the brain are complete, the dura mater is sutured back into place, providing protection to the brain.
Replacement of Bone Flap: The bone flap is then replaced, (which was modified or temporarily removed) back onto the skull and secured with plates, screws, or wires.
Closure of Wound: Finally the scalp incision is closed with either absorbable suture or non-absorbable suture depending on the type of craniotomy used.
Best Doctors in India
Dr Harnarayan Singh
Director and Head of the Department : Neurosurgery & Spine Surgery
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Cost of Craniotomy Surgery in India
The expense of craniotomy surgery in India is economical in comparison to other western countries. The cost of craniotomy surgery in India may range from 2,00,000 to 8,00,000 INR for India patients and 4500 to 9500 USD for international patients. Craniotomy surgery costs may differ as per the surgeon's skil and expertise, reputation and facilities of the hospital, and patient's condition on the day of the procedure. Additionally, any complications occurring during the procedure may affect the overall cost of craniotomy surgery.
Top Hospitals in India
Indications of Craniotomy Surgery:
When is Craniotomy Surgery Needed?
A craniotomy is indicated when an individual is at risk of developing increased swelling in the cranial cavity, or a tumor has been detected and surgical removal is required.
A craniotomy is performed for the treatment of brain conditions such as:
- Tumors
- Infection
- Brain abscess
- Skull fracture
- Aneurysm
- Tear or hole in the dura mater
- Swelling (cerebral edema)
- Bleeding inside the skull
- Blood clot
- Abnormal blood vessel formation (arteriovenous malformation)
- Increased intracranial pressure
- Abnormal connection between arteries and veins (arteriovenous fistula)
- Epilepsy
This procedure is also used to implant medical devices in the brain to improve movement in people with movement disorders, such as Parkinson's disease.
Risk Factors:
Risk Factors of Craniotomy Surgery
Some of the risk factors associated with craniotomy include:
Infection risk
There may be a risk of infection at the surgical site during a craniotomy, which may sometimes appear long after the surgery.
Bleeding
There is a risk of bleeding during or after the procedure, which also increases the risk for stroke and other complications.
Brain Swelling
After exposing the brain during the procedure, there is a risk of swelling that may increase pressure in the skull resulting in further complications.
Seizures
A patient may have seizures during or after the craniotomy due to irritation of the nerves in the brain during the surgical procedure.
Blood Clots
Blood clots can develop in any place in the body after surgery due to lack of movement. If a clot moves to major organs, it can block a major blood vessel and cause complications.
Anesthesia problems
General anesthesia can have the problems of allergic reactions and infertility in young patients.
Cranial nerve damage.
Damage to cranial nerves can occur during the surgical procedure, which may result in problems with vision, hearing, or facial movement.