Brain Surgery
Brain surgery encapsulates an array of surgical interventions depending on different conditions or diseases within the brain. Today, we at MyMedTrip.com shall brief you on the different conditions that warrant a brain surgery, the various types of brain surgery, and brain surgery success rates in India. Along these lines, you will also attain information on brain surgery procedures, recovery, and risks alongside its cost in India.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Cost for Brain Surgery in India | 3300 USD |
| Discount | 10% on the above quoted price (final hospital’s bill) ONLY APPLICABLE ONLY FOR MyMedTrip.com patients Click here for exceptions and terms. |
| Number of days at hospital (Estimated) | 2 days |
| Number of days in India outside hospital (Estimated) | 10 days |
| Treatment’s Success Rate | Over 95% |
| Tests required to help assess the treatment | MRI, CT scan, X-ray ECG etc. pulmonary function testing, GI evaluation, cardiology Evaluation, and sleep study cell test. |
What is covered in the above mentioned cost for surgery?
This price includes surgery cost, doctor’s fee, standard prescribed tests and all standard expenses required at the hospital.
About brain surgery
Brain surgery is a surgical intervention of the neurological discipline. Brain surgery is conducted to treat brain abnormalities or conditions and diseases such as a brain tumour, brain blood clot, epilepsy, or Parkinson’s disease.
There are various types of brain surgery and therefore there are different types of brain surgery procedures. This article will discuss at least two of them. But before going into the discussion on the various types of brain surgeries, let us first understand the anatomical structure of the brain.
The brain
In the anatomical structure of the brain, there are three different parts. They are the brainstem, the cerebellum, and the cerebrum. The cerebrum is the largest part and is sub categorised into the right and left hemispheres.
The cerebellum is situated after the cerebrum at the back of our head. The brainstem is located at the end of the brain and connects the entire brain to the spinal cord.
Together these three components along with the spine comprise the Central Nervous System (CNS) which is responsible for major functions of our body.
Functions of the brain
The brain which is part of the CNS is responsible for our everyday functions such as talking, walking, breathing etc. These functions are controlled by the three sub-sects. The cerebrum is responsible for voluntary activities such as seeing, speaking, talking, feeling etc.
The cerebellum is responsible for activities that maintain balance such as walking and running. The brainstem is responsible for involuntary activities such as breathing.
When tumours grow inside the skull of the person, it severely damages parts of the brains with complicated impacts on our everyday living.
The various conditions that require brain surgery
The different conditions that require brain surgery are:-
- Brain tumour
- Brain hemorrhage
- Hematomas of the brain/ blood clots within the brain
- Brain infection
- Brain aneurysm
- Swelling in the brain or hydrocephalus
- Brain stroke
- Nerve damage in the brain
- Brain fracture
- epilepsy
These aforementioned conditions are not an exhaustive list of brain disorders. There are more conditions such as a skull fracture or abnormal blood vessels in the brain.
Types of brain surgeries
The various types of brain surgery, some of which are:-
1. Craniotomy
This type of brain surgery is done to treat brain tumours, brain stroke, or brain injury. A craniotomy involves surgically removing one part of the skull due to swelling of a part of the brain. This part may be placed later in another surgery.
There are various sub-types of craniotomy such as an endoscopic craniotomy or a biopsy. In an endoscopic craniotomy, a special instrument called the endoscope which is attached to a camera and lens, is used.
The endoscope gives the internal images of the brain and guides the surgeon through the surgery so that it may be performed with utmost precision. In a biopsy, only a section of the brain is removed to evaluate it for malignant or non-malignant tumours.
2. Endonasal endoscopic surgery
This type of brain surgery is a minimally invasive procedure. Endonasal endoscopic surgery involves the use of an endoscope through the nasal passage of a person.
An endoscope is an instrument to which a small camera and special lenses are attached. These, when inserted, aid the surgeon through the internal structures of the person. The aim of using this endoscope is to aid the surgeon with precision and minimal damage.
This surgery is done for brain tumours that are present in the pituitary gland, skull’s base, or the bottom part of the brain.
3. Deep brain stimulation
This type of brain surgery involves the use of an electrode inside the skull. It is inserted through incisions made at the skull. This mechanical device is responsible for stimulation of specific areas of the brain through its attachment to the chest.
The stimulation may be required as a treatment method for diseases such as epilepsy or Parkinson’s disease.
4. Neuroendoscopy
This type of brain surgery is done to treat certain types of tumours.
Neuroendoscopy is a minimally invasive technique that uses an endoscope. This enables the surgeon to access parts of the brain which is inaccessible via open surgery. The tumour may be anywhere within the brain.
Through a neuroendoscopy, the surgeon avoids the whole issue of operating on the skull with long incisions. The tumour is taken out through the nose, the mouth, or small holes made in the skull.
5. Posterior fossa decompression
This type of brain surgery is also known as Chiari Decompression and is done to treat Chiari malformation.
Chiari malformation is a condition where the tissues of the brain are so enlarged that they enter the spinal structure. This interferes with the spinal canal and makes the skull appear abnormal or bent backwards.
There are three kinds of chiari malformation, chiari malformation type 1, chiari malformation type 2, and chiari malformation type 3. While the first type develops gradually after birth, the latter two types are there during birth.
In a chiari decompression surgery, the extended part of the skull is surgically removed. This relieves pressure and gives the patient a normal balancing of the head.
Before surgery
Upon the correct diagnosis, the neurosurgeon will prescribe tests that would be required before conducting the brain surgery. These are a combination of imaging tests and preoperative blood tests. Some of them will be:-
- CT scan
- MRI
- X-ray
- Preoperative blood tests
- ECG
- Urinalysis
Some additional tests such as a biopsy may be required. This depends on the specific condition the patient has.
The patient is also advised to refrain from certain things a few days prior to surgery. These are:-
- Refraining from alcohol.
- Refraining from blood thinning agents.
- Refraining from over-the-counter painkillers and anti-inflammatory medicines.
- Quitting smoking.
- Refraining from the consumption of food, solid or liquid, from the night before surgery.
The surgical procedure
1. Craniotomy for treating epilepsy/ brain tumours
This brain surgery commences under general anesthesia.
After this, the surgeon may monitor the brain wave via the ECG machine attached to the patient. In addition to this, the patient’s vital organs such as heart rate and blood pressure will also be monitored.
Following this, the surgeon removes the part of the brain which is affected. In order to be more precise, the surgeon may also ask the patient during surgery to speak so as to assess the condition and perform the surgery with precision. If this is required, then a local or regional anesthesia with painkillers will be injected instead of administration of general anesthesia.
Recovery from brain surgery
1. Craniotomy
After the surgery, the patient is moved into the recovery room or the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Here the patient will be kept for a day and his/her response will be monitored.
Upon waking up, the patient may feel pain with swelling and bruising. Medicines are provided to control this. For the first two-three weeks the patient is strongly advised to relax. Following this, the patient may increase activity if advised.
It takes a total of three months to get back to normal activities.
Risks of brain surgery
The risks of craniotomy are:-
- Visual impairment
- Language problems
- Memory problems
- Stroke
- Depression
- Pain in the head
One must call the doctor immediately if the patient is suffering from high fever, persistent pain, or drainage from the surgical site.
How can MyMedTrip.com help?
If you have decided to travel to India for Brain surgery, you may contact us on our Whatsapp number +91 9818237391 or email us at hi@mymedtrip.com The first consultation arranged by us is free of cost! We also provide visa invitation letters and help in facilitating the medical journey to India.
Throughout the journey, you shall be provided with one of our staff members for proper guidance through linguistic barriers, even though most of the hospitals and doctors we feature are well versed with Arabic, Russian,Bengali, and English.
If you have any further queries or questions related to Brain surgery services in India, please do not hesitate to email us at the aforementioned address.
Frequently Asked Questions about Brain Surgery
What is brain surgery?
Brain surgery encapsulates a wide array of surgical interventions depending on different conditions or diseases within the brain.
Who conducts brain surgery?
A neurosurgeon conducts brain surgery.
What are the conditions treated via brain surgery?
The conditions treated via brain surgery are brain tumour, brain hemorrhage, hematomas, brain infection, brain aneurysm, hydrocephalus, brain stroke, nerve damage, brain fracture, epilepsy etc.
What are the different types of brain surgery?
The different types of brain surgery are craniotomy, endonasal endoscopic surgery, deep brain stimulation, neuroendoscopy, posterior fossa decompression etc.
What is craniotomy?
A craniotomy involves surgically removing one part of the skull due to swelling of a part of the brain.
What is endonasal endoscopic surgery?
Endonasal endoscopic surgery involves the use of an endoscope through the nasal passage of a person.
What is deep brain stimulation?
This type of brain surgery involves the use of an electrode inside the skull. It is inserted through incisions made at the skull. This mechanical device is responsible for stimulation of specific areas of the brain through its attachment to the chest.
What is neuroendoscopy?
Neuroendoscopy is a minimally invasive technique that uses an endoscope. This enables the surgeon to access parts of the brain which is inaccessible via open surgery.
What is posterior fossa decompression?
This type of brain surgery is also known as Chiari Decompression and is done to treat Chiari malformation. In this surgery, the extended part of the skull is surgically removed. This relieves pressure and gives the patient a normal balancing of the head.
What are the various tests required before brain surgery craniotomy?
The various tests required before brain surgery are CT scan, MRI, X-ray, preoperative blood tests, ECG, and urinalysis.
What does craniotomy treat?
A craniotomy surgery can treat a wide array of conditions from brain tumour to epilepsy.
How long does it take to recover from craniotomy?
This depends on what the craniotomy is treating. If it is treating a small tumour or epilepsy, then the time required for recovery would be three months.
