Craniotomy for Brain Tumour
Brain Tumour Surgery Information
There are many different types of brain tumours. Although some tumours can be watched without surgery, sometimes it is necessary to perform surgery to remove a brain tumour. Most brain tumours can be safely removed from the surrounding brain tissue and nerves without any serious complications. This procedure is called a craniotomy. It is performed under general anaesthesia and creates an opening through the skull for brain tumour removal. The surgery usually requires between two to five hours to complete. The length of surgery depends on the location, type and size of the tumour. For more information about brain tumours visit our brain tumour information page. For more information about surgery for brain tumours watch the video below.
Risks of Craniotomy for Brain Tumour
Most brain tumours can be safely removed from the surrounding brain tissue and nerves without any serious complications. If complete removal is likely to cause harm, it is often safer to leave some tumour behind at surgery or perform a biopsy. Like any surgical procedure there are risks associated with the anaesthetic and the procedure itself.
Risks of Anaesthesia
Risks of anaesthesia will be discussed with you by your anaesthetist prior to surgery. It is important that you inform us of your correct age and any past medical problems, as this can influence the risk of anaesthesia. Risks include:
General Risks of Craniotomy
Although surgery for brain tumours is generally safe, there are some risks whenever performing a craniotomy. These include:
Specific Risks of Craniotomy for Brain Tumour
The specific risks depend on the specific brain tumour type, the size and the location of the tumour. Whether or not you have had previous surgery and other factors can also influence surgical risks. The specific risks will be discussed in detail prior to your surgery but may include:
Risks of Anaesthesia
Risks of anaesthesia will be discussed with you by your anaesthetist prior to surgery. It is important that you inform us of your correct age and any past medical problems, as this can influence the risk of anaesthesia. Risks include:
- Heart problems, such as heart attack (AMI) or arrhythmia
- Lung problems, such as infection (pneumonia) or blood clots
- Urinary tract infection
- Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT)
- Eye or visual problems
- Pressure wounds
- Stroke
- Small risk of significant life-threatening event
General Risks of Craniotomy
Although surgery for brain tumours is generally safe, there are some risks whenever performing a craniotomy. These include:
- Infection 1-2%
- Seizures which can require taking medication. Rarely this can lead to epilepsy requiring longterm medication.
- Bleeding. This can occur at the time of surgery and may necessitate a blood transfusion. It can also occur at some time after surgery. The bleeding may be present in the brain or adjacent to it. Sometimes another operation is required to drain the bloodclot and stop the bleeding.
- Stroke
- Brain fluid leak (CSF leak)
- Small risk of significant neurological injury causing paralysis, coma or death.
Specific Risks of Craniotomy for Brain Tumour
The specific risks depend on the specific brain tumour type, the size and the location of the tumour. Whether or not you have had previous surgery and other factors can also influence surgical risks. The specific risks will be discussed in detail prior to your surgery but may include:
- Loss of smell
- Damage nerves in the brain (cranial nerves) resulting in facial numbness, weakness of the face, loss of vision or double vision.
- Weakness or numbness in the limbs
- Speech disturbance
- Paralysis (stroke like symptoms).
- Cognitive impairment and memory problems
- Incomplete removal
- Recurrence of the tumour
- Requirement for further treatment with radiotherapy