About brain surgery

Brain surgery is done to accurate physical abnormalities in the brain. These can be due to birth defect, disease, injury, or other problems.

You may need brain surgery if you have any of the following conditions in or around the brain:

• an aneurysm
• bleeding
• blood clots
• damage to the protective tissue called the “dura”
• epilepsy
• abscesses
• nerve damage or nerve irritation
• Parkinson’s disease
• pressure after head injury
• skull fracture
• a stroke
• brain tumors
• fluid building up in the brain
• abnormal blood vessels

There are several different types of brain surgery. The type used depends on the problem being treated.

Craniotomy

A craniotomy involves making an incision in the scalp and creating a hole known as a bone flap in the skull. The hole and incision are made near the area of the brain being treated.

During open brain surgery, your surgeon may opt to:

• eliminate tumors
• clip off an aneurysm
• drain blood or fluid from an infection
• remove abnormal brain tissue

All surgical actions carry some risk. Brain surgery is a major medical event. It carries extra risk.

Possible risks associated with brain surgery include:

• coma
• impaired speech, vision, coordination, or balance
• infection in the brain or at the wound site
• memory problems
• seizures
• stroke
• allergic reaction to anesthesia
• bleeding in the brain
• a blood clot
• brain swelling