Craniotomy
Advanced care to treat tumors and other neurological conditions so you can enjoy a better quality of life
A craniotomy may sound intimidating at first. Our highly skilled team of experts will be by your side from diagnoses to treatment to recovery.
We combine an individualized approach with the latest medical and surgical treatments to ensure you receive care you can trust.
A craniotomy is a surgical procedure where a portion of the skull is removed to access the area that needs treatment. Following the surgery, the skull flap is securely put back in place.
Reasons for the Procedure
Craniotomies are typically used to remove tumors in the skull, but can also be used to treat:
- Infections
- Aneurysms
- Vascular malformations
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Epilepsy or seizure disorders
- Strokes
Understanding a Craniotomy
A craniotomy is a surgical procedure where a portion of the skull is removed to access the area that needs treatment. Following the surgery, the skull flap is securely put back in place.
Reasons for the Procedure
Craniotomies are typically used to remove tumors in the skull, but can also be used to treat:
- Infections
- Aneurysms
- Vascular malformations
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Epilepsy or seizure disorders
- Strokes
Watch: What to Expect with a Craniotomy
As you navigate through this process, you are not alone. At IU Health, our highly skilled physicians use a team approach to support and care for you. Throughout your procedure, several team members will be involved in your recovery, including a:
- Neurooncologist
- Neurosurgeon
- Radiation oncologist
- Nurse practitioners
- Physical therapist
- Social worker
- Case manager
With any surgical procedure, it is important to be mindful of potential complications that could occur. Depending on where your tumor is located, your craniotomy may affect your:
- Speech
- Memory
- Vision
- Hearing
- Coordination
- Personality
What to Expect
As you navigate through this process, you are not alone. At IU Health, our highly skilled physicians use a team approach to support and care for you. Throughout your procedure, several team members will be involved in your recovery, including a:
- Neurooncologist
- Neurosurgeon
- Radiation oncologist
- Nurse practitioners
- Physical therapist
- Social worker
- Case manager
With any surgical procedure, it is important to be mindful of potential complications that could occur. Depending on where your tumor is located, your craniotomy may affect your:
- Speech
- Memory
- Vision
- Hearing
- Coordination
- Personality
To ensure you are a good candidate for a craniotomy, your care team will conduct pre-operative admission testing to examine your heart and lungs, as well as assess your risk factors before surgery.
If necessary, your doctor may put you on medications to alleviate seizures or swelling and taken off medications that prevent blood clotting.
Prior to surgery, a specialized CT or MRI will help your doctor visualize the connections between your brain and the parts of the body it controls. This allows your doctor to plan the incision and navigate inside your brain during surgery while avoiding important connections.
Preparing for Your Craniotomy
To ensure you are a good candidate for a craniotomy, your care team will conduct pre-operative admission testing to examine your heart and lungs, as well as assess your risk factors before surgery.
If necessary, your doctor may put you on medications to alleviate seizures or swelling and taken off medications that prevent blood clotting.
Prior to surgery, a specialized CT or MRI will help your doctor visualize the connections between your brain and the parts of the body it controls. This allows your doctor to plan the incision and navigate inside your brain during surgery while avoiding important connections.
Before your procedure, a small patch of hair will be shaved around the proposed incision site to allow for optimal access to the tumor. You will then be placed under anesthesia to help you stay comfortable and safe during surgery.
Once you are asleep, your doctor will place you in a skull stabilization device called a “Mayfield clamp,” to hold your head in place during the procedure. The clamp is attached to your scalp using pins. You will not feel the clamp being placed, but you may feel some pin-prick spots on your scalp after your surgery.
During Your Craniotomy
Before your procedure, a small patch of hair will be shaved around the proposed incision site to allow for optimal access to the tumor. You will then be placed under anesthesia to help you stay comfortable and safe during surgery.
Once you are asleep, your doctor will place you in a skull stabilization device called a “Mayfield clamp,” to hold your head in place during the procedure. The clamp is attached to your scalp using pins. You will not feel the clamp being placed, but you may feel some pin-prick spots on your scalp after your surgery.
Following the procedure, you will be required to stay in the hospital for two to seven days. While you recover, your tumor will be tested to determine what additional therapies or rehabilitation may be needed. Your care team will then work with you to produce an individualized treatment plan which may consist of radiation, chemotherapy or other medications.
Once you return home, it is important that you have a support system to help you with daily activities and attending appointments. After your procedure, your doctor will set up additional appointments, including:
- Two weeks after surgery, your sutures or staples are removed
- A month after surgery, you will have your first follow-up appointment
- Six to eight weeks after surgery, you can be assessed for the ability to return to work
After Your Craniotomy
Following the procedure, you will be required to stay in the hospital for two to seven days. While you recover, your tumor will be tested to determine what additional therapies or rehabilitation may be needed. Your care team will then work with you to produce an individualized treatment plan which may consist of radiation, chemotherapy or other medications.
Once you return home, it is important that you have a support system to help you with daily activities and attending appointments. After your procedure, your doctor will set up additional appointments, including:
- Two weeks after surgery, your sutures or staples are removed
- A month after surgery, you will have your first follow-up appointment
- Six to eight weeks after surgery, you can be assessed for the ability to return to work
