Neurosurgery
Neurosurgery is also known as neurological surgery. It encampasses surgeries involved with the nervous system, including the brain and the spine.
Today, we at MyMedTrip.com shall brief you on neurological surgery, neurosurgery cost in India, and neurosurgery success rate. We will also be providing you information on the various potential neurosurgery risks that come after neurosurgery.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Cost of neurosurgery in India | 3,000 -4,000 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) | 2-3 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, preoperative blood tests, and EEG. |
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 neurosurgery
Neurosurgery encapsulates more than just the diagnosis and treatment of the brain’s diseases. It covers various fields that fall under the body’s nervous system. Neurosurgery is therefore the surgical intervention which is required in a variety of brain, spinal, and nervous conditions. Therefore to understand the diseases better, it is pertinent to understand the central nervous system.
The nervous system
Our nervous system is categorized into two portions, the central nervous system(CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). These are further sub-categorized into various parts.
The brain and the spinal structure fall under CNS or the central nervous system. The PNS or the peripheral nervous system comprises the autonomic and somatic nervous system which connects the various parts of our body to the CNS.
Function of the nervous system
The nervous system mainly functions to carry messages from the brain to the various parts of our body and vice versa.
The CNS that comprises the brain is responsible for the body’s various functions such as speech and mobility. The spinal cord of the CNS helps in transmitting the messages to and from the brain, the messages enable parts of the body to carry out function.
The PNS carries these messages from the CNS. Through its somatic nervous system, the massages are transmitted into the body’s movements such as running. The autonomic nervous system on the other hand, transmits the massages into involuntary action such as breathing.
The common types of neurosurgery
Neurosurgery treats a long-listed variety of diseases. Some of the most common ones are brain tumours (and its various kinds), spinal stenosis, neck and head cancer, nerve tumours, nerve injuries etc. Because this encapsulates a wide field, there are various types of neurosurgery. Some of the most common ones are provided below:-
1. Craniotomy
This type of neurosurgery 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. Laminectomy
This type of neurosurgery is done for people suffering with severe back pain or neck pain. The back pain or neck pain may be caused by bone conditions such as a herniated disc, tumours, or spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal).
In a laminectomy, a part of the lamina or the vertebral bone is removed. The surgeon may also remove all of the lamina. The effect of this is that due to removal of the lamina, the pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots is relieved.
3. Epilepsy surgery
This is a kind of neurosurgery that is performed to treat epileptic conditions. Epileptic conditions occur when a curtain portion of the brain cells (neurons) begin to act abnormally.
However, an epilepsy surgery is only recommended when non-surgical treatments have failed. Before the surgery, the doctor may test with different kinds of anti-epileptic medications. Surgical intervention is only suggested when all other options fail.
In an epilepsy surgery, the place of the brain where it occurs, is surgically removed. There are various kinds of epilepsy surgery such as resective surgery, corpus callosotomy, or deep brain stimulation.
Each of these subcategories treat different areas of the brain. For instance, in a resective surgery, the temporal lobes which are responsible for language, memory, and emotions, are operated on. In a corpus callosotomy, the corpus callosum which connects the left-side nerves of the brain to the right-side nerves, is operated on.
4. Microdiscectomy
This kind of neurosurgery is also known as microlumbar discectomy and is done on the spine to treat various spinal conditions. These spinal conditions, that have resulted out of lumbar (lower back region) disc herniation, cause severe pain and limit motion. They also put pressure on the nerve roots and therefore require surgical intervention to remove them.
In a microlumbar discectomy, the surgeon uses special surgical tools which are attached to a camera and lens, to remove the herniated tissues and parts of the bone which has been causing pressure on the nerve roots.
5. Anterior cervical discectomy
This type of neurosurgery is performed in the neck. An anterior cervical discectomy, which is sometimes done with a spinal fusion, is performed to remove the herniated/degenerated parts which have been causing pain and limited motion in the neck region.
Sometimes, this surgery is performed along with a fusion. In a fusion surgery, the surgeon takes a bone graft from elsewhere on the patient’s body and uses it in the affected area to fuse two vertebrae together. This, in which two different bones are fused into one, restrictics mobility of the affected area and relieves the patient of pain that was being caused due to mobility of the affected area.
6. Chiari decompression
This is a kind of neurosurgery which treats chiari malformation, which is a condition where the tissues of the brain are enlarged and 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.
7. Spinal fusion
This is a type of neurosurgery which is done to treat degenerative diseases that have resulted out of osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthritic, or some other condition that affects the spinal structure.
In a spinal fusion surgery, the neurosurgeon surgically removes the affected area and combines, or fuses, two vertebrae together into one long bone. While this may restrict the patient’s motion ability, it relieves the patient of severe pain and its associated symptoms.
Tests required for various types of neurosurgery
The tests required to perform neurosurgery are a combination of imaging tests and preoperative blood tests. They are:-
- 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.
Before the neurosurgical procedure
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.
Neurosurgery procedure
Epilepsy surgery
The epilepsy 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 after neurosurgery
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 required.
It takes a total of three months to get back to normal activities.
Neurosurgery risks
Epilepsy surgery
The risks associated with epilepsy surgery are:-
- Visual impairment
- Language problems
- Memory problems
- Stroke
- Depression
- Pain in the head
Because there are various subcategories of epilepsy surgery, it is best to discuss the specific risk potential with the associated surgeon before going in for surgery.
Success rate of neurosurgery
The success rate of epilepsy surgery is determined by whether the patient has seizures in the following two years or not. If not, then it is most unlikely that the patient will have a seizure for the following ten years. The success thus ranges from 87- 90% and then to over 95%.
How can MyMedTrip.com help you?
If you have decided to travel to India for Neurosurgery, 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 neurosurgery services in India, please do not hesitate to email us at the aforementioned address.
Frequently Asked Questions about Neurosurgery
What is neurosurgery?
Neurosurgery is also known as neurological surgery. It encampasses surguries involved with the nervous system, including the brain and the spine.
What are the various types of neurosurgery?
The various types of neurosurgery are craniotomy, laminectomy, epilepsy surgery, microdiscectomy, anterior cervical discectomy, chiari decompression, spinal fusion etc.
What is craniotomy?
Craniotomy is done to treat brain tumours, brain stroke, or brain injury. This involves surgically removing a part of the skull due to swelling of a part of the brain.
What is laminectomy?
A laminectomy is done for people suffering with severe back pain or neck pain and involves the removal of a part of the lamina or the vertebral bone.
What is epilepsy surgery?
An epilepsy surgery is performed to treat epileptic conditions which occur when a curtain portion of the brain cells (neurons) begin to act abnormally. In an epilepsy surgery, the place of the brain where it occurs, is surgically removed.
What are the different kinds of epilepsy surgery?
There are various kinds of epilepsy surgery such as resective surgery, corpus callosotomy, or deep brain stimulation.
What is microdiscectomy?
A microdiscectomy or a microlumbar discectomy is done on the spine to treat various spinal conditions. It involves the use of special surgical tools which are attached to a camera and lens, to remove the herniated tissues and parts of the bone which has been causing pressure on the nerve roots.
What is anterior cervical discectomy?
Anterior cervical discectomy is a neurosurgery which is performed in the neck. It is done to remove the herniated/degenerated parts which have been causing pain and limited motion in the neck region.
What is chiari decompression?
A chiari decompression is a surgical intervention for the treatment of chiari malformation, which is a condition where the tissues of the brain are enlarged and enter the spinal structure. In a chiari decompression surgery, the extended part of the skull is surgically removed.
What are the tests required for neurosurgery?
The common tests which will be required under any kind of neurosurgery are CT scan, MRI, X-ray, preoperative blood tests, ECG, and urinalysis.
Under what anesthesia is a neurosurgery performed?
Neurosurgery is generally performed under general anesthesia.
When can I get back to work after epilepsy surgery?
You may get back to work upon your surgeon’s advice. This could be anywhere between one-three months.
What is the risk of epilepsy surgery?
The risks associated with epilepsy surgery are visual impairment, language problems, memory problems, stroke , depression, or pain in the head.
