Craniotomy

Craniotomy

Craniotomy: A craniotomy is an incision through the skull to access the brain. A section of bone, called a bone flap, is removed and stitched back together after the operation.

Diseases And Conditions Treated: Craniotomy

These diseases and conditions may be treated with the surgical procedure Craniotomy:

• Metastatic brain tumor
• Astrocytoma (a glioblastoma)
• Oligodendroglioma
• Ependymoma
• Meningioma
• Choriod plexus papilloma
• Craniopharyngioma
• Primitive neuroectodermal tumor
• Hemangioblastoma
• Medulloblastoma
• Pituitary tumor
• Blood clots (hematoma)
• Cerebral aneurysm
• Abnormal blood vessels (arteriovenous malformations, AVM)
• Brain abscess
• Severe nerve pain
• Severe facial pain
• Epilepsy
• Chiari malformation
• Syringomyelia
• Brain trauma

Anesthetic Requirements for Craniotomy

These surgical anesthetic requirements for the procedure Craniotomy may include:

• General anesthesia

Procedure Complications: Craniotomy

Possible surgical complications of Craniotomy may include:

• Intracranial bleeding (hemorrhage)
• Stroke
• Brain damage
• Coma
• Infection
• Brain swelling
• Seizures
• Cerebral vasospasm (vessel constriction leading to necrosis)
• Adverse reaction to anesthesia

Craniotomy: Recovery Time

Recovery period for Craniotomy: One to four weeks or longer.

Descriptions of Craniotomy

Craniotomy: a surgical opening through the skull
Source: WordNet 2.1

Craniotomy: Other Names

Other names for this medical surgical procedures (Craniotomy) include:

• Brain surgery
• Craniotomy for tumors

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