Craniotomy

A surgical procedure in which part of the skull is temporarily removed to access the brain for treatment of tumors, blood clots, arteriovenous malformations, or traumatic brain injuries.

Craniotomy is recommended when non-surgical treatments have failed, when the condition significantly affects quality of life, or when imaging confirms the need for intervention. Your Neurology surgeon will assess your suitability after a detailed consultation.

Craniotomy is typically performed under General anesthesia. Your anaesthetist will review your health history, medications, and allergies before the procedure to ensure safety.

Most patients recover within 6–12 weeks, though this varies by individual health, age, and compliance with physiotherapy. Light activities can usually resume within a few weeks; full recovery takes longer.

As with any surgical procedure, risks include bleeding, infection, anaesthesia reactions, and rare complications such as injury to adjacent structures. Your surgeon will discuss your personal risk profile during the consent process.

Craniotomy has a documented success rate of 88% when performed by qualified surgeons at accredited hospitals. Outcomes depend on the patient's overall health, disease severity, and adherence to post-operative care.