Brain Surgery (Aneurysm Repair)

BRAIN SURGERY (ANEURYSM REPAIR)

Brain aneurysm restoration is a surgical procedure to correct an aneurysm.

This is a weak region in a blood vessel wall that bulges or balloon out and once in a while burst (rupture).

Surgery Time

Normally it takes from 3 to 5 hours depending upon the size and location of the aneurysm.

Anesthesia Type

Patients are given a general anesthesia and a breathing tube.

Description

There are two common procedures used to repair an aneurysm:

Endovascular Repair:  Coiling and stenting (mesh tubes), is a much less invasive and a common way to deal with aneurysms.

Aneurysm clipping: In this procedure, the scalp, skull, and the coverings of the brain are opened and a metal clip is positioned at the base of the aneurysm to prevent it from breaking (bursting). Then a catheter is guided through a small cut in the patient's groin area to an artery and then to the blood vessel in his brain where the aneurysm is located.

This allows the medical professional to view the arteries and the aneurysm on a display.

This process is also known as coiling.

Blood clots are formed around this coil and prevent the aneurysm from breaking and bleeding.

Sometimes stents (mesh tubes) are also put in, to hold the coils in vicinity and make sure the blood vessel remains open.

During and immediately after the surgery, the patient is given blood thinning medicines, such as heparin or aspirin.

These medicines save the patient from the dangerous blood clots from forming within the stent.

Why the Procedure is performed

If an aneurysm in the brain breaks open (ruptures), it is an emergency situation that needs immediate medical attention. Often a rupture is treated with endovascular surgery.

Sometimes people may have an unruptured aneurysm without any symptoms.

The doctor will help you decide whether it is safe to undergo surgery to block off the aneurysm before it can break open, or to monitor the aneurysm with repeated imaging until surgery becomes necessary. Some small aneurysms don’t require surgery.

After the Procedure

A hospital stay for endovascular restoration of an aneurysm can be as short as 1 to 2 days if there has been no bleeding before surgery. However the hospital stay after craniotomy and aneurysm clipping is usually for 4 to 6 days. If there may be bleeding or other issues, the hospital live may be 1 to 2 weeks, or longer.

You will probably have imaging tests of the blood vessels (angiogram) inside the brain before you get discharge from the hospital.

Risks

Risks of anesthesia and surgical operation in preferred are:

1. Blood clot or bleeding in or around the brain.
2. Infection in the brain or elements across the brain, together with the cranium or scalp
3. Surgery on any one location of the brain might also cause issues that may be moderate or severe.
4. They may additionally last a short while or they may no longer go away.
5. Signs of neurological problems include:
6. Vision problems (from blindness to issues with aspect vision)
7. After successful surgical procedure for a bleeding aneurysm, it's miles uncommon for it to bleed again.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Most of the time, surgery can prevent a brain aneurysm that has not caused symptoms from becoming larger and breaking open.

The outlook may depends on whether the brain damage occurred from bleeding before, during the procedure, or after.

You may have more aneurysms or the aneurysm that was coiled might grow back. After the coiling repair surgery, you may need to be consulted by your surgeon for evaluation frequently.

Disclaimer: The information provided herein is for patient general knowledge only and should not be used during any medical emergency, for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. Duplication for personal and commercial use must be authorized in writing by Surjen.com.