• Home
  • About Us
    • Our Surgeons
      • Donald Hilton, MD
      • Robert Johnson, MD
      • Arnold Vardiman, MD
      • Donald P. Atkins, MD
      • Christopher Bogaev, MD
      • Jordan Jude, MD
      • Colin Son, MD
    • Clinical Staff
    • Support Staff
    • Medical Center Office
    • Stone Oak Office
  • Our Specialties
  • Patient Center
    • Patient Education
    • Patient Portal
    • Medical Information Release Form
  • Make a Payment
  • Contact Us
  • (210)-614-2453

Craniotomy

The Operation
Surgery for most cerebral aneurysms takes place deep inside the brain, between its lobes and near vital arteries and nerves.

craniotomyAfter a general anesthetic has been given, the patient is positioned according to the area of the brain that must be reached. Usually, the craniotomy is performed with the patient lying on his or her back. The hair over the incision area is then clipped and shaved.

The patient’s blood pressure may be lowered with medication to allow the operation to proceed with less risk of re-bleeding.

After a general anesthetic has been given, the patient is positioned according to the area of the brain that must be reached. Usually, the operation is performed with the patient lying on his or her back. The hair over the incision area is then clipped and shaved.

The patient’s blood pressure may be lowered with medication to allow the operation to proceed with less risk of re-bleeding.craniotomy

Incision

A curved incision is made in the scalp over the appropriate location. The scalp flap is then laid back to expose the skull.

 

 

craniotomyCraniotomy

Next, a small burr hole is drilled in the skull with a power drill. A surgical saw is used to connect the holes and create a “window” in the skull through which surgery will take place. The removed bone piece is kept sterile for replacement at the end of the operation.

 

 

 

Exposure of the brain

The exposed dura is cut with a scalpel or scissors and is laid back to uncover the brain. A surgical microscope is used as the procedure is continued.

Identifying and clipping the aneurysm

The brain’s lobes are gently retracted (pulled back) until the location of the aneurysm is reached, using the surgical microscope and microsurgical instruments.

The tissue-paper-thin aneurysm is carefully freed from the scar tissue surrounding it, and its junction with the brain’s blood vessels is identified. One of various kinds of clips is placed across the base of the aneurysm and is adjusted until its position is accurate. This allows the aneurysm to collapse as shown in, but spares the essential blood vessels around it.

 

At times the aneurysm will rupture again while surgery is taking place. The surgeon then carefully tries to control the hemorrhage while continuing the delicate clipping procedure.

Replacement of bone

After the dura has been stitched closed, the piece of bone is replaced, using wires made of surgical steel (which will remain in place permanently). An intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring device may then be implanted.

Incision closure

The craniotomy is completed when the incision is closed in several layers. Unless dissolving suture material is used, the skin sutures (stitches or staples) will have to be removed after the incision has healed.

 

All Articles and Graphics Copyright ©2013, Medtronic Sofamor Danek, All Rights Reserved.

Clinic Locations

Medical Center: (210) 614-2453

Stone Oak: (210) 477-1956

Telehealth is available for select appointments.

authorization to disclose health information

Our surgeons are world-renowned in the neurosurgical field, teachers of surgical techniques to residents, providers of best practices to colleagues, while always putting the patient and their family first.

 

Medical Center Location

Texas Neurosciences Institute (TNI) Building
4410 Medical Drive, Suite 610
San Antonio, Texas 78229
210 614 2453

Stone Oak Location

V. Benson Pavilion, located with Stone Oak Methodist Hospital
1139 East Sonterra Blvd, Suite 301
San Antonio, Texas 78258
210 477 1956

Copyright © 2022. All rights reserved. Powered by Ives Services
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptReject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT
210-614-2453