A craniotomy is a surgical procedure in which a portion of your skull, called a bone flap, is temporarily removed to reveal your brain. Your surgeon needs to access it to complete a vital treatment. Once the procedure is complete, the flap is replaced. A craniotomy requires the use of highly specialized tools and the expertise of physicians who’ve been trained in advanced surgical techniques.
In New Jersey, top neurosurgeons perform craniotomies and other procedures through ten convenient neurosurgery and spine centers of Premier Brain and Spine in New Jersey and New York.
A craniotomy is an effective surgical procedure used by your ambulatory surgery center physician to prepare the skull for procedures to treat a range of conditions, including:
For certain types of craniotomies, you need to be awake to answer questions or do specific movements when asked. But you remain under general anesthesia when your input isn’t needed during the procedure. A craniotomy takes up to two hours or more, depending on the underlying condition your doctors are treating.
To prepare you for a craniotomy, your neurosurgeon takes steps that may include:
It’s likely you’ll be moved into an intensive care unit immediately following a craniotomy to ensure brain swelling is under control. Once you’re stable, you’re moved to a hospital room for a couple days. Typically, you can go home after two or three days when all your vital signs are clear.
Complete recovery can take anywhere from four to six weeks. Follow your doctor’s instructions closely for a smooth recovery. Take physical therapy when required and continue with regularly scheduled follow-ups with your surgery center team. When you have issues with your brain or spine, contact the top specialists at Premier Brain & Spine for the most effective, state-of-the-art treatments around.