Brain Surgery

The brain is the most important part of the body. It is responsible for interpreting the senses, initiation of body movement, controlling behavior and more. 

What Is Brain Surgery?

Brain surgery is a variety of medical operations aimed at correcting structural issues with the brain. The central nervous system (CNS) includes the brain. It regulates the ability to speak, think, move, and recall information. 

The goal of brain surgery is to address disorders without interfering with these vital activities.

Why Is Brain Surgery Required?

Brain surgery is used to treat physical problems with the brain. These can be caused by a birth flaw, an injury, a disease, or a variety of other issues.

If an individual has any of the following conditions like bleeding, epilepsy, abscesses, blood clots, they may need brain surgery.

Although not all of these disorders necessitate brain surgery, many of them may benefit from treatment. 

Particularly if they offer a risk of more serious health issues. A brain aneurysm, for example, does not necessitate open brain surgery, but it may be necessary if there is a rupture of the vessel.

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.

India, A Preferred Destination For Brain Surgery

Neurosurgery in India is among the best in the world. This is why, out of the 13.8 million people that require brain surgery each year, many choose to come to India for treatment. 

Brain surgeries are complex surgeries that require innovative technologies, advanced imaging techniques, and well-trained staff.

The success of neurosurgery in india depends on the teamwork of the surgical team, neurosurgeon, and post-operative patient care team. 

Aside from well-trained neurosurgeons, India also has specialized and well-trained post-operative and operative care teams. It also has world-class hospitals and surgical infrastructure that can handle difficult cases at an affordable cost.

The majority of brain tumor surgery hospitals in India are NABL, NABH, ISO, CAP-accredited, and DSIR-recognized.

The treatment in western countries like the USA and the UK may cost a fortune. However, the cost for brain tumor surgery in India is just about 40 – 50% of the cost in the USA, the UK, and other developed nations. 

Indian Medical Visa Process (India e-Medical Visa)

By default, the Indian government allows a medical visa to be valid for 60 days. However, India’s new visa policy allows the paper-based medical visa to be extended for up to 180 days. 

Individuals can obtain an Indian Medical Visa by filling out an Indian Visa Application Form online.  This procedure will only take a couple of minutes. Then you have to make the payment through PayPal and provide the appropriate documents for treatment, such as a letter from a hospital. This process takes 72 hours to complete, and an accepted Visa is emailed to the concerned person. 

Nationals of e-Visa India-eligible countries who require a Medical Visa may apply online using the online e-Visa India application form at https://www.indiavisa-online.org. A letter from the hospital in India where they intend to receive treatment is required.

The individual may also be requested to show proof that they have enough money to cover their medical expenses in India. They may also be asked to produce a return travel ticket to their native country once the medical treatment is completed. These papers can be faxed or emailed to the Help Desk, or they can be submitted to the website later. 

One of the benefits of the Indian Medical Visa is that, unlike the 30-day Tourist Visa, which is only valid for two entries, it enables three entries into India during its 60-day duration. 

The following conditions and requirements of the e-Visa for medical treatment must be understood and remembered as pointers: 

• The Indian e-Medical Visa is valid for 60 days from the date of arrival in India.
• The e-Medical India Visa allows you to visit India three times.
• Individuals can apply for a Medical Visa up to three times per year.
• It is not possible to extend the electronic Medical Visa.
•  This visa is not convertible and cannot be changed to a tourist or business visa.
• It can’t be used to enter protected or restricted sites.
• Patients must show proof of financial support for their stay in India.
• During your trip to the airport, the patient must have a PDF or paper copy with you.
• On the e-Medical India Visa, patients can request a return ticket.
• There is no such thing as a group medical visa for India; each applicant must apply independently.
• On the day of arrival in India, the passport must be valid for at least six months.
• Individuals must have two blank pages in their passports so that immigration and border control personnel can stamp their passports at the airport for entry and exit.
• A regular passport is required to be presented. Indian Medical Visas cannot be obtained using diplomatic, service, official, or refugee passports.
• Individuals must apply for a paper or conventional India Medical Visa rather than an electronic Medical Visa on the Govt. website if the treatment will continue longer than 180 days.

The website allows a person to apply online, and it will take you 3 to 5 minutes to finish the application. It is highly recommended that an individual applies for a Medical Visa in India online rather than visiting an Indian Embassy or High Commission.

Brain Surgery Procedure

Brain surgery comes in a variety of forms. The sort of treatment is determined by the brain area and the disease being addressed. Surgeons can now operate on parts of the brain without making any incisions in or near the head because of advances in medical technology.

Surgery on the brain is a delicate and time-consuming procedure. The sort of brain surgery that is performed is mostly determined by the ailment that is being treated.

A catheter inserted into a groin artery, for example, can be used to treat a brain aneurysm. If the aneurysm has ruptured, a craniotomy (open surgery) may be required. 

Surgeons approach each surgery on a case-by-case basis, being as cautious and thorough as possible.

Pre-Operative Procedure

Brain surgery necessitates meticulous planning. A physical examination and blood tests are performed first by the healthcare professional. They want to ascertain the health of the patient to undergo surgery and give anesthesia.

Imaging tests such as MRIs, CT scans, PET scans, and angiography may also be performed. These scans produce extremely comprehensive images of the brain’s structures, blood arteries, and neurons. The images help the surgeon in determining the exact regions that require therapy.

The patient must also tell the doctor about their medical history and current medications. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should be avoided for a week prior to surgery.

If the patient is on blood clotting medications, these may be stopped for up to five days before surgery. If a blood test indicates an abnormality, the doctor will prescribe medications to aid recovery before surgery.

It is recommended that the patient stops smoking, using tobacco, and consuming alcohol a few weeks before the surgery. 

During Brain Surgery

Each person’s brain surgery is unique. To operate, the surgical team may need to shave a portion of the skull or shave a little area to make an incision (cut). For most minimally invasive surgeries, they won’t need to shave the head at all.

Some procedures necessitate general anesthesia, which renders the patient unconscious. Other operations, on the other hand, just require sedation, which means the patient will be half unconscious. But they will still be able to respond to specific stimuli. 

Depending on the procedure, the patient may even be awake during the procedure. Some cancers, epilepsy, and neurological diseases fall within this category.

Anesthetic is applied to the head during an awake craniotomy, so the patient does not feel any pain from the incision. They will also be given medication to put them to sleep. 

During the surgery, however, the surgeon and anesthesiologist will rouse the patient up. It is possible that the doctor would want the patient to speak, move a bodily part, look at things, or recall knowledge. 

A functional MRI may be used to check brain function before surgery. This is referred to as intraoperative brain mapping by providers. This procedure helps the surgeon in avoiding critical brain areas during surgery.

Depending on the complexity of the procedure, brain surgery could take anywhere from two to nine hours or more.

Types of Brain Surgery

Depending on the needs of the patient there are various types of brain surgery. The following are a few of the most common types.

Biopsy

A brain biopsy is a process that involves removing a sample of aberrant tissue from the brain and examining it under a microscope. The tissue cells obtained during the biopsy can reveal the type of brain lesion (abscess, tumor). It also shows whether it is benign (non-cancerous) or cancerous (malignant).

To get a sample, a healthcare provider may perform a computer guided needle (stereotactic) biopsy by inserting a needle into the brain. Alternatively, during open surgery, they may remove some tissue (craniotomy).

Craniotomy

A craniotomy is an open brain surgical procedure. To gain access to the brain, a surgeon removes a section of the skull, which is subsequently replaced following surgery.

A craniotomy may be required to remove a tumor, a blood clot, an arteriovenous malformation, epileptic tissue, or to relieve pressure in the brain.

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)

DBS is a type of deep brain stimulation that is used to treat tremor, Parkinson’s disease, and other neurological diseases. 

Electrodes are implanted in the brain by a surgeon. When the electrodes deliver electrical impulses, a little gadget outside the brain regulates it. DBS is used to control aberrant brain activity.

Endovascular Surgery

It involves inserting a catheter (flexible thin tube) into a blood vessel through a tiny cut in the groin. They thread the catheter through the skull and into the brain. They can treat aneurysms and remove blood clots (thrombectomy).

Neuroendoscopy

A surgeon may be able to do brain surgery through the nose or mouth in some cases. They begin by inserting an endoscope (a thin, lighted tube with a video camera on one end). 

The surgeon next inserts surgical tools inside the tube. They can remove malignancies without cutting into your head in this way.

Laser Ablation

Some disorders are too deep in the brain for a craniotomy to be safe. In these situations, a laser probe inserted through a small hole in the skull may be used to destroy a tumor, epileptic tissue or radiation harm.

Stereotactic Radiosurgery

Some patients with brain cancer are treated with stereotactic radiosurgery, which may include the use of a Gamma Knife. However, this is not surgery in the traditional sense. 

Radiation therapy that does not require an incision is known as radiosurgery. Special equipment, such as the Gamma Knife is used. They accurately administer a high dosage of radiation to tumors or other lesions while minimizing damage to healthy tissue in the surrounding area.

Post-Operative Procedure

Following surgery, the patient will be sent to the recovery room. While in the recovery room, the nurses will keep a watchful eye. The patient returns to the ward once it is safe to do so. Some persons may require admission to an intensive care unit (ICU)

The patient will have a dressing over their wound and possibly a bandage around the head when they wake up. Usually, this is left alone for a few days.

Between 5 and 14 days after surgery, stitches or surgical clips can typically be removed. Some surgeons utilize self-dissolving stitches. It is possible that the head will itch at first. Avoid scratching too close to the wound.

The patient will be in the hospital for observation following the procedure. They may just need to remain one to two days for less invasive procedures like endovascular surgery. However, the patient may need to stay in the hospital for up to ten days after an open craniotomy.

To prevent brain swelling and seizures, the patient may continue to receive steroids or anti-seizure drugs. The patient may also require neurorehabilitation to regain some of their abilities. 

Physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, and occupational therapists may be involved. If necessary, they can assist in regaining strength, speaking abilities, movement, and the ability to accomplish daily duties.

Benefits of Brain Surgery

Brain surgery can save a person’s life. It can be used to treat strokes, brain bleeds, tumors, and a variety of other critical medical conditions. 

Brain surgery is now safer due to advances in medical technology. Newer, less intrusive techniques are now available, lowering the risk and side effects significantly.

Tips And Advice

The amount of time it takes to recover is determined by the technique used in brain surgery. A week to ten days in the hospital following a brain procedure is usual.

The length of the stay in the hospital is determined by how well the body recovers and responds to surgery. The patient will be extensively checked immediately following surgery to ensure that the brain functions normally.

To avoid swelling of the face and brain, the patient will be forced to sit and lie down with the head elevated. During this time, the patient will be given pain medicine.

Before leaving the hospital, the doctor will give instructions on how to take measures and care for the wound.

It is common for the brain to swell up, steroids may be recommended for this. Steroids have their own side effects. It is critical to tell the doctor about these side effects so that the amount and frequency of the medicine can be adjusted correctly.

Recurrent headaches should also be documented since they could indicate brain enlargement or a new tumor. 

Some people may recover completely after therapy. Others may have to live with long-term alterations that require modifications for the remainder of their lives. 

Always keep your wound clean and dry. Have someone check it every day for symptoms of leaking or infection. 

Washing the hair is okay as long as the patient does not scrape the scab off. For the first several weeks, avoid using direct heat from a hair dryer. Until fully recovered, avoid using hair color or any other chemicals. 

When the doctor asks for follow up, it needs to be carried out on the scheduled time. This is to ascertain the recovery process and remove any sutures or staples.

How Can MyMedTrip.com Help You?

It is natural to be overwhelmed and concerned while traveling to a new place for medical treatment. Throughout the journey, we shall assist the patient and their attendant, and provide a manager for help throughout the whole medical trip. We will also assist in overcoming linguistic barriers.

Should you decide on traveling to India for medical assistance, you may email us at hi@mymedtrip.com or WhatsApp at +91 9818237391. 

The first consultation arranged by us would be free of cost! Additionally, we also provide visa invitation letters and help in facilitating the medical journey to India.

For any further assistance/queries or questions related to brain surgery as well as services in India, do not hesitate to email us at the aforementioned address. We shall be glad to assist you and help you get well soon.

Frequently Asked Questions about Brain Surgery

What complications should a patient be on the lookout for after surgery?

Seizures, severe headaches, deteriorating neurological issues, fever or chills, swelling of the ankles, bleeding or bruising, etc, should be reported to a doctor.

After brain surgery, what is put on the head?

After the surgery, the patient will need to wear a special helmet. This is to protect the part of the head that the skull bone no longer protects. The patient may require a cranioplasty, which is a sort of follow-up surgery, after a few months.

Is it possible to heal completely following brain surgery?

After brain surgery, everyone recovers in their own unique way. Less invasive brain procedures can take weeks to recover from. It could take months to recover from a major procedure such as a craniotomy.

What should I do to stay away from brain surgery?

Choose complex carbs like whole-grain bread and pasta, as well as whole fruits, after a moderate traumatic brain injury (not dry or canned). However, carbohydrate-rich foods such as bread, rice, cookies, and sugary candies should be consumed in moderation.

What happens right after brain surgery?

Swelling in the brain is expected after surgery, so recovery will take time and the benefits will not be immediately apparent. Steroids may be prescribed to the patient to help with the swelling.

Is brain surgery high risk?

All surgical procedures carry some amount of risk, whereas brain surgery carries a higher risk because it is a major medical event

Is it possible to fly after brain surgery?

Neurosurgery may leave gas (air) trapped within the skull, which may expand at altitude, according to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). As a result, the CAA advises against flying for at least 7 days after undergoing this treatment.

Is it possible to regain vision after brain surgery?

Diplopia is usually only temporary after surgery, and with therapy, normal vision can be regained in days or weeks.

How long does it take you to wake up after brain surgery?

After brain surgery, most people wake up within a few hours. However, the surgeon may choose to keep the patient sedated for a few days following surgery to help in recovery.

After brain surgery, how long do nerves need to heal?

Most patients will need 6-12 weeks to recuperate before returning to their prior levels of activity.

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.