Brain Surgery: Purpose, Procedure, and Benefits and Side Effects

Your brain is one of the main parts of your central nervous system and controls your ability to speak, move, think, and remember. A brain surgery is done to cure illnesses and conditions of the brain without impairing these crucial processes. During brain surgery, a surgeon may remove a portion of your brain or an abnormal development, such as a tumor. Surgeons can also fix damaged areas of your brain, such blood vessel leaks or any anatomical issues with the brain.

An incision (cut) must occasionally be made in the brain during brain surgery. However, there are numerous methods that can involve your nose, mouth, or even a small cut in your leg to access your brain. Compared to open brain surgery, minimally invasive brain surgery has fewer dangers and faster recovery.

There are several different kinds of brain surgery. The type employed depends on the location of the part of the brain and the illness being treated. With the advancement in medical technology it is possible for surgeons to operate on parts of the brain without making even a single incision within the head or close by area.

Brain surgery is a delicate and challenging procedure. The condition being treated has a significant impact on the sort of brain surgery performed. For instance, to treat a brain aneurysm a catheter is inserted into a groin artery while an open procedure known as a craniotomy may be utilized to open the skull also known as cranium if the aneurysm has ruptured. Surgeons approach each procedure individually while being as cautious and thorough as they can.

Brain surgery can be done through a number of procedures. However, depending on the issue a specific type may be used that may include techniques like;

A craniotomy is an open procedure which involves an incision in the skull to treat a number of conditions. The skull is then punctured to form a bone flap. The surgeon makes the incision or the hole near the brain area which needs to be treated.

In the course of open brain surgery, your doctor might decide to:

• Get rid of tumors
• Drain any blood or fluid from an infection
• Clip off an aneurysm
• Treat blood clot
• For arteriovenous malformation
• Get rid of epileptic tissue
• To relieve pressure in your brain

The bone flap is often fixed in place using plates, sutures, or wires once the procedure has been done. In case of malignancies, an infection, or brain edema, the hole may be left open for further treatment. The operation is called a craniectomy if the part of the skull is left open.

A brain biopsy is a procedure to examine a tissue or fluid sample from the brain in order to evaluate a tumor. A sample is taken from your brain through a needle to perform a stereotactic (computer guided) needle biopsy. However, in open surgery, some tissue might also be removed.

This procedure enables your surgeon to access parts of your brain through your nose or mouth without requiring an incision to remove tumors or lesions. An endoscope is used during the procedure, which is a telescoping tool with lights and a camera so the surgeon can observe their work area. This procedure can be used by your doctor for tumors that are growing on the pituitary gland, on the base of the skull, or at the bottom portion of the brain without cutting into your skull.

This method entails a minor incision in the groin area where a catheter, or thin, flexible tube, is inserted into a blood vessel. Without removing your skull, the surgeon routes the catheter up to your brain to do thrombectomy procedures or aneurysm repairs.

Neuroendoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that employs endoscopes to remove brain tumors. During this procedure, the surgeon may drill tiny holes - the size of a dime in your skull to gain access to certain areas of your brain.

Some disorders may be too deep in the brain for a craniotomy to be performed. In such a situation, a laser probe inserted through a small opening in the skull may be used to destroy tumor, radiation injury, or epileptic tissue.

Similar to biopsy, this treatment entails cutting a small hole in the skull. The surgeons frequently perform this procedure to treat Parkinson’s disease, tremor and other neurological conditions by placing a small electrode into the deep region of the brain. Electrical signals are then transferred from the electrode to the battery which is placed outside of the body near the heart to regulate abnormal brain activities.

As the brain is an essential part of our body and controls every single body part and processes functions like thought, memory, emotion, touch, motor skills, vision, breathing, temperature, hunger etc., any illness or injury to this part can be life threatening hence brain surgery is important to save a patient's life or help him/her provide a better life. Here are some benefits that can be life changing for people;

• It can cure cancers, strokes, brain bleeding, and other severe medical conditions
• Brain surgery is now more safer than ever due to the advancements in medical technology
• There are newer, less intrusive techniques available that significantly lower the chance of problems

Brain surgery is often performed to treat structural problems in the brain. They could be brought on by a sickness, an injury, a congenital flaw, or any other issue. If you have any of the following conditions in or around your brain, brain surgery may be necessary:

• A stroke
• Abnormal blood vessels
• Abscesses
• An aneurysm
• Bleeding
• Blood clots
• Brain tumors
• Cranium/skull fracture
• Damage to the protective tissue called the “dura”
• Epilepsy
• Fluid building up in the brain
• Nerve damage or nerve irritation
• Parkinson’s disease
• Pressure after head injury

Although, not all of these disorders call for brain surgery, many of them might benefit from it, particularly if they carry a risk of developing more severe health issues. For instance, a brain aneurysm does not require open brain surgery, but if the vessel ruptures, open surgery may be necessary.

Every surgical procedure involves some risk. Being a major medical procedure, brain surgery entails added risks that may include;

• Allergic reaction to anesthesia
• Bleeding in the brain
• Blood clot
• Brain swelling
• Coma
• Impaired speech, vision, coordination, or balance
• Infection in the brain or at the wound site
• Memory problems
• Seizures
• Stroke

Significant complications and risks are generally uncommon when carried out by a skilled team of surgeons at Pristyn care.

Speak with a reputable healthcare professional of Pristyn care before the procedure to receive detailed instructions on how to get ready for the surgery. Your medical professional might be able to provide you with information about the pre- and post-surgery preparation and treatment that may include;

• Information of any medications you are taking, including over-the-counter remedies and dietary supplements, should be disclosed to your doctor. These drugs will likely need to be stopped in the days leading up to the surgery
• If you've had any recent operations, have allergies, or have consumed a lot of alcohol, let your doctor know
• Before surgery, you can be given a special antibacterial soap to wash your hair with
• Pack essentials in your hospital bag, such as a toothbrush, robe, and slippers, to make your stay more pleasant after having brain surgery, which involves a big operation process and may require you to stay in the hospital for a while
• Observe your doctor's recommendations for what to eat and drink prior to surgery
• You should probably abstain from eating or drinking after midnight the night before surgery
• If you usually take your medication in the morning, ask your doctor or nurse for instructions.

• You’ll change into a hospital gown. If required, the hair close to the surgical site will be cut or shaved
• You will be checked-in on by your doctor, who will also mark the surgical site
• For the purpose of administering medicine, an IV (intravenous) line will be inserted into your arm or hand
• To monitor your blood pressure throughout the surgery, a catheter ( small, flexible tube) may be inserted into an artery in your foot, groin, wrist, or elbow
• Prior to surgery, your brain function may be monitored by a medical professional using a functional MRI which is known as intraoperative brain mapping. This process helps your surgeon avoid important tissues of the brain during surgery
• In order to put you to sleep and block out any pain, general anesthetic will be administered

Each person's experience with brain surgery varies. Sometimes the surgical team must remove a portion of your head to perform the procedure, or they may only remove a small portion to make an incision (cut). For the majority of minimally invasive procedures, shaving your head is not necessary.

In case of open surgery, your surgeon may fix your head in place during the treatment to maintain head stability and guarantee surgical precision. Your hair will be clipped in some places. The surgeon next cuts a portion of your skull open to access your brain.

While general anesthesia is required for some surgeries to put you in deep sleep, other treatments, however, just require sedation to numb the surgical site only while keeping you awake. Whereas, in some procedures, your surgeon or anesthesiologist might even awake you during the several procedures such as neurological, epileptic, or neoplastic surgeries.

During such procedures you will be asked by your neurosurgeon or a speech-language pathologist to name images and words you saw on cards or a computer prior to surgery. Your doctor can ask you to make gestures, recognize images on cards, count, or raise a finger. Your reactions assist your surgeon in locating and avoiding the functional regions of your brain during the surgery.

In order to remove as much of the brain tumor or epilepsy focus as possible, your medical team will also use precise 3-D computer scans of your brain recorded both before and during surgery, such as intraoperative MRI and computer-assisted brain surgery.

Your anesthesiologist and surgical team closely monitor and evaluate the functions of your body and brain, and they notify your surgeon if there is any change in brain function following surgery. The surgeons finish the procedure by reattaching the part of the skull.

Depending on the complexity of the procedure, brain surgery can last anywhere from two to nine hours or longer.

• Immediately after the surgery, you’ll be closely monitored to ensure everything is working properly. You will be taken to a recovery room after your procedure for close observation
• You’ll be seated in a raised position to prevent swelling in your face and brain
• As your anesthesia wears out you will awaken
• Your vital signs, such as your heart rate and blood pressure, will be assessed and kept under close observation
• After surgery, your doctor could ask for an MRI to confirm that the tumor or epileptic focal has been completely removed
• After surgery, you can expect to stay in the intensive care unit for a few hours and stay in the hospital for two to three days
• You will then be moved into a regular room. Depending on the kind of treatment you underwent and how quickly you recover, your hospital stay may vary. For instance, you might just need to stay for one to two days if you have a less intrusive technique like endovascular surgery. However, you might need to stay in the hospital for up to 10 days following an open craniotomy
• The length of your hospital stay will also depend on how well your body responds to the surgery. You’ll be on pain medications during this time
• Before you leave the hospital, your doctor will explain the next steps of the process. This will include how to care for the surgical wound, if you have one
• On average, you can resume work and regular activities in six to three months. Three months after surgery, you'll have a follow-up appointment with your doctor.

Depending on the type of conversion and hospital you select, the cost of a brain surgery in India ranges from INR 50,000 to INR 33,00,000.

A lot of variables may affect the cost of surgery. Along with tier-1 or tier-2 cities; hospital or clinic brand names, the fees of the treating consultant, admission fee, type of the surgery, post-surgical complications that are involved, admission room that you opted for, may have an influence on hospital billing expenses.

The cost of brain surgery in major Indian cities is;

Brain surgery in Bangalore can cost somewhere between Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 30,00,000, in Delhi from Rs. 52,500 to Rs. 31,50,000, Mumbai Rs. 55,000 to Rs. 33,00,000, whereas in Chennai it can go somewhere from Rs. 47,500 to Rs. 28,50,000, and in cities like Pune it can range from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 30,00,000, and Hyderabad Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 30,00,000.

The total cost of the procedure may also be impacted by the number of diagnostic tests performed. The entire cost of the surgery may be reduced based on the patient's insurance plan.

Expenses for brain surgery can also vary from individual to individual due to the following reasons:

• Surgeon fee
• Health condition of the patient
• Post-procedure complications that are involved
• Occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and physical therapists’ fee, if the help is required
• Type of the hospital
• The room that you opted for
• Admission fee.

• Brain surgery is a major procedure that requires adequate recovery. If you have brain surgery, you shouldn’t plan on participating in normal activities for several weeks afterward.
• You’ll need to work your way up to regular levels of physical activity.
• To stop seizures and brain swelling, you can keep taking steroids or anti-seizure drugs for at least a couple of years after your surgery
• To recover some functions, you could also require neurorehabilitation. This might entail receiving treatment from occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and physical therapists. If necessary, they can assist you with regaining your strength, mobility, speaking abilities, and capacity to carry out daily chores.

​​Diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, olive oil, and fish may be helpful after brain surgery as it aids in maintaining cognitive function.

Consequently, a healthy diet for brain surgery should be high in protein and rich in specific vitamins and minerals like magnesium and zinc, both of which are depleted after surgery.

• Dark Chocolate
• Fatty fish
• Flaxseed oil
• Dark, Leafy vegetables
• Walnuts and Pumpkin Seeds
• Berries
• Eggs
• Avocados
• Meat
• Legumes and Squash Seeds
• Turmeric root or powder

Although having brain surgery may seem terrifying, it is actually a very safe process. These operations are complex and are performed by highly specialized surgeons who have undergone rigorous training and are experts in the field. Your medical professionals, including a cancer nurse specialist, listen to your worries and concerns and explain how the whole procedure will be done.

Although brain surgery in itself isn’t a painful procedure yet it can result in little to moderate pain after the procedure for which pain management is available to help the patients. Also, as brain surgery is done under anesthesia, patients don’t feel any pain during the procedure. Moreover, with no pain receptors in the brain it is highly unlikely to feel any kind of pain in the brain, however, the surgical site may cause some pain that can be treated with painkillers.

It can be quite distressing to undergo brain surgery, and many patients who are recovering from the procedure endure aftereffects like headaches, dizzy spells, confusion, or weakness. The way a patient recovers from brain surgery varies on the procedure used. An average hospital stay following brain surgery may be one week or longer.

It's common to experience depression. Family members and close friends must communicate with the sufferer and show empathy for their needs.

After a brain brain surgery, the recovery time can range from six months to many years. Patients who undergo brain surgery maye need a three- to four-day hospital stay following surgery and may experience intense pain and discomfort for a few days. Mild pain near the surgical site and swelling are also reported for a few weeks.

However, the patient progressively regains his/her functions and should resume everyday activities after a few weeks of the surgery. If there are any unaddressed neurological deficiencies, they should be addressed. However, during recovery time, patients require their families' unconditional love and support as well as possibly the assistance of therapists.

To determine whether the patient is recovering appropriately, family members should have them undergo neuropsychological testing every six months or a year following the treatment. Angry outbursts, uncontrollable laughter, withdrawal, and depression are all warning signs that caregivers need to be on the lookout for. Taking the patient to the doctor for a checkup is advised in the event of such symptoms.

• Behavior changes
• Brain damage
• Difficulty walking
• Memory loss
• Problems with speech
• Weakness in your arms or legs

Here are some tips that will help you recover well from Brain Surgery:

• Following brain surgery, a patient could have temporary disorientation as well as speech or comprehension issues. When speaking to the patient, family members and friends are recommended to pause so that the patient can comprehend what is being said. Speaking slowly is not advised since it can upset the patient resulting in an emotional outburst
• Caregivers and family members should encourage the patient to participate in the conversation by bringing up the conversation topic at various points
• Family members should also not react adversely in case of emotional outbursts, instead show love and patience to a person recovering from brain surgery
• Patients recovering from brain surgery should get enough sleep and rest to recover and should not be overwhelmed by the emotional and sensory burden of anxious events or conversations
• Medications should be given on time
• Patient should be kept in happy and quiet environment not in a place that could exhaust his senses
• In case of special needs occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and physical therapists should be contacted for the improved cognitive and motor skills
• Regular check ups with the doctor are advised for better recovery.

Brain surgery can not only save a life but can also help patients live a quality life. Conditions and illnesses such as brain tumors, aneurysms, and epilepsy are just a few of the major medical disorders that can be treated with brain surgery. Some types of brain surgeries require a cut to the skull and brain, however for minimally invasive surgeries incisions may not even be required. Though providing a healthy and better life, brain surgery can also have some risks and side effects, as a result patients may require rehabilitation.