Brain Surgery
Definition of Brain Surgery:
Brain surgery treats lesions of the brain and its surrounding structures through an opening (craniotomy) in the skull (cranium).
Description of Brain Surgery Procedures:
Before brain surgery, the hair on part of the scalp is shaved. The scalp is cleansed and prepared for surgery. An incision is made through the scalp and a hole is drilled through the skull. A piece of the skull is removed (usually temporarily) and the brain surgery is performed, after which the bone is replaced and secured in place.
Brain surgery may be needed to treat:
- brain tumors
- bleeding (hemorrhage) or blood clots (hematomas) from injuries (subdural hematoma or epidural hematomas)
- weaknesses in blood vessels (cerebral aneurysms)
- arteriovenous malformations (AVM; abnormal blood vessels)
- damage to tissues covering the brain (dura)
- pockets of infection in the brain (brain abscesses)
- severe nerve or facial pain (such as trigeminal neuralgia or tic douloureux)
- trauma to the skull and repair of skull fractures
The Neurosurgery Department at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center specializes in brain surgery techniques developed to allow safe removal of brain tumors including microsurgery and stereotactic guidance. Minimally invasive brain surgery techniques for the treatment and biopsy of brain tumors are also available.
For more information on brain surgery and Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center visit our website.
Brain Surgery
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and North Carolina Baptist Hospital. All rights reserved.
Medical Center Boulevard
Winston-Salem, NC 27157
(336) 716-2011