Brain surgery

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Before and after hematoma repair

Craniotomy - series

Brain surgery treats lesions of the brain and its surrounding structures through an opening (craniotomy) in the skull (cranium).

Craniotomy; Surgery - brain; Neurosurgery

The hair on part of the scalp is shaved. The scalp is cleansed and prepared for surgery. An incision is made through the scalp and a hole is drilled through the skull. A piece of the skull is removed (usually temporarily) and the surgery is performed, after which the bone is replaced and secured in place.

Brain surgery may be needed to treat:

• brain tumors
• bleeding (hemorrhage) or blood clots (hematomas) from injuries (subdural hematoma or epidural hematomas)
• weaknesses in blood vessels (cerebral aneurysms)
• arteriovenous malformations (AVM; abnormal blood vessels)
• damage to tissues covering the brain (dura)
• pockets of infection in the brain (brain abscesses)
• severe nerve or facial pain (such as trigeminal neuralgia or tic douloureux)
• trauma to the skull and repair of skull fractures

Review Date: 06/10/2005
Reviewed By: Joseph P. Hart, MD, Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.