Awake Brain Surgery For Treating Brain Tumours

Brain tumours can be life-threatening, and even if they are not, they can interfere with the normal working of the brain and severely impact the quality of your life. In the majority of cases, the problem is treated surgically. Operating on a complex organ like the brain can be quite complicated and always comes with some risks. While there are multiple options available, awake brain surgery, also referred to as awake craniotomy, is highly recommended in cases where the tumour is too close to the parts of the brain that control various motor and speech functions. The procedure is offered at all the best hospitals in India. 

Awake brain surgery or awake craniotomy is a revolutionary procedure that allows surgeons to perform brain surgery while the patient is still awake and alert. The procedure is used to treat various neurological conditions and ailments including certain types of brain tumours, especially those that develop around the areas of the brain that control your vision moment or speech. Throughout the procedure, you will be asked certain questions so as to constantly monitor and assess the activity of your brain. The way you respond helps the doctors to determine whether they are going in the right direction. This helps to alleviate the risks of damage to the most sensitive areas of your brain. The procedure is highly recommended by the best vascular surgeons in India. 

What are brain tumours? 

Brain tumours are tiny lumps or masses that develop in the brain as a result of unhealthy genetic mutations in the DNA of the brain cells, which can be triggered by various different reasons. These can be either malignant or benign. Malignant brain tumours are cancerous in nature and quite aggressive, whereas benign brain tumours are not as aggressive and do not usually pose any serious threat to the patient's life. Some brain tumours can continue to grow and suppress brain function. Experts from the best neurology hospital in India suggest that in the majority of the cases the tumour is to be extracted surgically. There is a wide spectrum of surgical modalities available of the same, including awake craniotomy or awake brain surgery.

Benefits of awake craniotomy

·       It is pertinent to note that just like other surgical procedures, awake craniotomy comes with slight risks as well. However, the procedure has many advantages which Usually outnumber the risks.

·       The procedure not only helps to remove the tumour but also helps to reduce the size of those tumours that cannot be extracted completely

·       The procedure will help to preserve your motor and speech functions thereby ensuring a quality life ahead.

How to prepare for the surgery? 

Doctors from the best brain tumour hospital in Delhi suggest that preparing for the surgical procedure is as important as the surgery itself and should not be taken for granted.

·       You will be required to undergo certain screening tests to help the doctor determine your eligibility for the procedure. After making sure that you are a perfect candidate your doctor will explain the whole procedure to you along with all the possible outcomes.

·       You need to inform your doctor about any medication that you have been taking

·       You need to make sure that your doctor is well aware of your medical history and there is nothing hidden from him/her

·       You need to strictly refrain from smoking as it can hinder the process of recovery post-surgery.

·       Right before the surgery, your doctor will ask you to identify certain pictures and read words. Your answers will be recorded and used later for comparison during surgery.

What happens during the procedure? 

·       You will be given some medicine to help you fall asleep. The surgical area will be numbed with the health of sedatives.

·       Your head will be held in a fixed position with the help of a frame to ensure the utmost levels of surgical accuracy.

·       You will be allowed to stay asleep for the first part of the surgery in which the doctors will remove a part of your skull to access the concerned area. Once this is done, the dosage of the sedative medication will be lowered to help you wake up.

·       In case the tumour is too close to the sensitive areas of the brain, brain mapping will be done to assess the centre that controls vital functions of the brain.

·       With the help of brain mapping and 3D imaging modalities, the tumour is carefully removed without damaging the surrounding tissues.

·       You will be occasionally asked to identify pictures and answer simple questions throughout the surgery to make sure that your vital brain functions are not being compromised.

·       The procedure can help to remove a major portion of your tumour; however, you might still need other treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy to destroy the remaining part of the tumour.

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Created on Jan 27th 2021 02:36. Viewed 332 times.

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