Brain surgery may be required for a variety of serious conditions, such as aneurysms and tumors. Although it still carries major risks, brain surgery has benefitted from great advancements toward increased safety.
Clipping
Surgical clipping is a type of brain surgery used to treat aneurysms. A portion of the skull is removed in order to find the offending blood vessel and stop its blood flow with a metal clip.
Awake Brain Surgery
Awake brain surgery, or brain mapping, is used to remove brain tumors or seizure-causing tissue while eliminating some surgery-related risks. As patients remain awake during the procedure, surgeons can stimulate regions of the brain while asking the patient questions. Based on their answers, surgeons can determine whether or not a particular region is tied into such areas as speech or vision.
Brain Tumor Surgery Risks
Brain surgery can be performed to remove brain tumors but surgeons must consider the location of the mass as it can affect speech or lead to vision loss. Performing surgery on a brain tumor can also cause severe bleeding or infection in the brain.
Stereotactic Radiosurgery
Stereotactic radiosurgery is brain surgery without the use of a scalpel or incision. Instead, large doses of radiation are aimed with pinpoint precision at the tumors or growths that have been plaguing the brain.
Computer Aid
Computers can aid doctors prior to brain surgery by providing detailed 3-D scans of the region. Surgeons can then plan the safest and securest surgical route to help fend off complications.
Tags: brain surgery, brain tumors, remove brain, remove brain tumors, surgery brain