Craniotomy

• Craniotomy Surgery cost in India varies between USD 5000 to USD 6000.
• Patient need to spend approximately 7 days in hospital and 10 days outside the hospital.
• Depending on size of tumor and patient’s medical condition, the success rate of Craniotomy procedure is 96%. There may be lower success rates in patients with the complications of meningitis etc.
• Tests used to diagnose brain disorders include Computed Tomography (CT), Cerebral Arteriogram, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the brain, Electroencephalogram (EEG), X-Rays of the skull and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan.

Treatment Cost

More About Treatment

Types of Craniotomy Surgery

Listed below are the 5 different procedures of performing a craniotomy surgery:

• Extended Bifrontal Craniotomy:This procedure is performed to operate meningiomas, esthesioneuroblastomas, malignant skull base tumors and tumors that cannot be removed by a minimally invasive approach. In this procedure the frontal bone of the skull is cut temporarily so that the tumor can be removed without any manipulation of the brain.

• Supra-Orbital Craniotomy:Also known as the “eyebrow” craniotomy, the supra orbital craniotomy is a minimally invasive procedure in which small incisions are made within the eyebrow to remove pituitary tumors or tumors that are located in front of the brain. This technique is performed when the tumor is too large for an endonasal endoscopic surgery.

• Retro Sigmoid Craniotomy:This is also a minimally invasive surgical approach to remove tumors and is also known as “keyhole craniotomy”. A small incision behind the ear gives the surgeon access to the cerebellum and brainstem through which tumors like acoustic neuromas, meningiomas and skull base tumors are removed.

• Orbitozygomatic Craniotomy:This procedure is performed to remove difficult tumors and treat aneurysms. It is performed by temporarily removing the bone that forms the contour of the orbit and cheek. Craniopharyngiomas, pituitary tumors and meningiomas are treated with this method.

• Translabyrinthine Craniotomy:In this procedure of craniotomy, the incision is made just behind the ear. Thereby the mastoid bone and some of the inner ear bone is removed to extract the tumor without causing any harm to the brain. Acoustic neuroma is treated in this surgical method although its only disadvantage is loss of hearing.

A craniotomy is performed to treat/remove the following:

• Brain tumor

• Aneurysm

• Blood clots

• Arteriovenous malformation

• Epilepsy

• Skull fractures

• Tear in the dura mater

• Damaged or swollen portions of the brain

• Implanting neurostimulator (or brain pacemaker) to treat Parkinson’s Disease

You may be interested in:What is a craniotomy?

Diagnosis for Craniotomy includes the following tests:

• Blood tests

• An Electrocardiogram

• A chest X-ray

• CT Scan

• MRI Scan

Helpful:Types of Craniotomy

Before performing a craniotomy surgery, several neurology tests are performed to locate the problem in the patient’s brain so that the bone flap can be cut with exact precision, the neurological problem can be diagnosed and the size of the tumor can be estimated.

During the Craniotomy Procedure

• Patient will be positioned on the operating table in a manner that provides the best access to the side of the brain to be operated on.

• His/her head will be shaved and the skin over the surgical site will be cleansed with an antiseptic solution.

• An incision may be made from behind the hairline in front of the ear and the nape of the neck, or in another location depending on the location of the problem.

• The scalp will be pulled up and clipped to control bleeding while providing access to the brain.

• A medical drill will be used to make burr holes in the skull.

• The bone will be cut carefully with a special saw and the bone flap will be removed and saved.

• The dura mater (the thick outer covering of the brain directly underneath the bone) will be separated from the bone and carefully cut open to expose the brain.

• After the surgeon has extracted the tumor from the targeted location or implanted the neurostimulator (depending on the patient’s case) he/shewill suture (sew) the layers of tissue together. The bone flap will be reattached using plates, sutures, or wires.

• The skin incision (scalp) will be closed with sutures or surgical staples. A sterile bandage or dressing will be applied over the incision.

After the Craniotomy procedure

• The patient will be kept under observation in the recovery room.

• After his/her blood pressure, pulse and breathing are stable and the patient is alert, he/she will be taken to the ICU.

• The brain function of the patient is thoroughly checked by the medical staff so as to make sure that his/her body systems are working properly.

• The patient is then sent to a rehabilitation facility so that he/she can regain his/her strength.

• A craniotomy generally requires ahospital stay of 5to7 days.

Clickhereto know about Procedure of Craniotomy

Following are the factors which will affect the treatment cost:

• The hospital the patient is opting for.

• Room –Standard single room, deluxe room, super deluxe room for the number of nights specified (including nursing fee, meals, room rate, and room service).

• Operating room, ICU

• Fee for the team of doctors (Surgeons, Anesthetist, Physiotherapist, Dietician).

• Medicines

• Standard test and diagnostic procedures

• Cost of the follow –up care which is required after the procedure.

FAQs

• How should the patient prepare himself/herself a week before the surgery?

• The patient should stop taking blood-thinning medications. He should also stop taking medicines like Clopidogrel, Plavix and Warfarin.

• Can the patient have food or water before the craniotomy surgery?

• One is not allowed to eat or drink anything before a craniotomy surgery.

• Are any further questions asked to the patient before performing a craniotomy?

• Prior to a craniotomy surgery, the anesthetist asks the patients about his/her general health, allergies, previous surgeries (if any) and the patient’s reactions to previous anesthetics.

• For how long will the patient stay in the ICU?

• The patient has to stay in the ICU for at least a night or two depending on the progress of his/her condition post surgery. IVs, monitors and bladder catheters are removed on the morning following the surgery. The patient is allowed to eat a normal breakfast and he/she can walk on the first day after the surgery.

• Will the patient have an MRI scan after surgery?

• An MRI scan is performed again within 24 to 48 hours post surgery.

• When are the sutures removed?

• The sutures and staples are removed between the 7thand 14thpostoperative days.

• What are the restrictions of the patient post craniotomy surgery?

• Walking and taking personal care is allowed after a day of the craniotomy surgery. Strenuous activities like work-outs, lifting heavy weights and strong exertions should be avoided for at least four to six weeks.

• From when can the patient resume work?

• It depends on the occupation of the patient. Strenuous work are best avoided for longer periods until his/her physical strength is regained. Normally, patients are allowed to resume their work after two to six weeks post surgery.