A craniotomy is a type of brain surgery. It is the most commonly performed surgery for brain tumor removal .

It also may be done to remove a blood clot (hematoma), to control hemorrhage from a weak, leaking blood vessel (cerebral aneurysm), to repair arteriovenous malformations (abnormal connections of blood vessels), to drain a brain abscess, to relieve pressure inside the skull, to perform a biopsy, or to inspect the brain.

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Aftercare
Craniotomy is a major surgical procedure performed under general anesthesia. Immediately after surgery, the pa tient's pupil reactions are tested, mental status is assessed after anesthesia, and movement of the limbs (arms/legs) is evaluated. Shortly after surgery, breathing exercises are started to clear the lungs. Typically, after surgery patients are given medications to control pain, swelling, and seizures. Codeine may be prescribed to relive headache. Special leg stockings are used to prevent blood clot formation after surgery. Patients can usually get out of bed in about a day after surgery and usually are hospitalized for five to 14 days after surgery. The bandages on the skull are be removed and replaced regularly. The sutures closing the scalp are removed by the surgeon, but the soft wires used to reattach the portion of the skull that was removed are permanent and require no further attention. Patients should keep the scalp dry until the sutures are removed. If required (depending on area of brain involved), occupational therapists and physical therapist assess the patient's status postoperatively and help the patient improve strength, daily living skills and capabilities, and speech. Full recovery may take up to two months, since it is common for patients to feel fatigued for up to eight weeks after surgery.

Read more: Craniotomy - procedure, recovery, blood, removal, pain, complications, adults, time, infection, operation, medication, risk, children, cancer, nausea, Definition, Purpose, Demographics http://www.surgeryencyclopedia.com/Ce-Fi/Craniotomy.html#ixzz1Rpx71gK5 BOOKS Connolly, E. Sanders, ed. Fundamentals of Operative Techniques in Neurosurgery. New York: Thieme Medical Publishers, 2002. Greenberg, Mark S. Handbook of Neurosurgery. 5th ed. New York: Thieme Medical Publishers, 2000. Miller, R. Anesthesia. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Churchill Livingstone, 2000.

Read more: Craniotomy - procedure, recovery, blood, removal, pain, complications, adults, time, infection, operation, medication, risk, children, cancer, nausea, Definition, Purpose, Demographics http://www.surgeryencyclopedia.com/Ce-Fi/Craniotomy.html#ixzz1RpxO4RkO