Facts about neurosurgery

The general view of the people is neurosurgery is a form of brain surgery, but in reality it is much more than that. It relates to the diagnosis and treatment of patients who have disorders of the spinal cord, spinal column and the brain. It all depends upon the type of injury that a neurosurgeon would advise surgical or non-surgical methods of treatment. Do choose the best neurosurgeon in India as they have the experience along with skill sets in dealing with complex cases.

The common diagnostic methods in relation to neurosurgery

The main purpose of these tests would be to diagnose and detect any disorders of the nervous system. Some of the screening tests include.

• Neurological examinations-this would enable you to figure out the status along with function of your speech , mental status along with infections or disorders
• Cerebral angiogram-Pinpoints the reason for the obstruction of blood vessels in the back or the neck. They can also be used to determine the size of the brain tumours
• Brain scans- it is not just merely limited to MRI, PET or CT scan. It can be used to diagnose the location along with the size of the brain tumour

Common types of neurosurgery

• Craniotomy- a lesion in the brain is being removed where an opening in the skull is undertaken. One of the most common types of surgeries for brain removal tumour. It can also be undertaken to remove a blood clot or to reduce haemorrhage from a weak blood vessel.
• Rhizotomy- it means cutting of the nerve roots once they make an entry on to the spinal cord. This procedure is undertaken under the influence of general anaesthesia. The patient would have to lie facing down. In the lower spine you go on to make an incision, and as they happen to be sensory nerves you do not have to stimulate muscle movement. The ones that are not are cut.
• Stereotactic radiosurgery- it is a precise beam of radiation that goes on to destroy the tissue of the brain. Mostly this procedure is used to treat brain tumours and particularly benign tumours. You can compare it to the other types of radiation treatment. The cells then lose their ability to retain fluids and divide further. The reduction of tumour occurs at the normal growth for a particular type of tumour cell. In case of malignant tumour you can see the result around 2 years. The reason being that the cells are fast growing.

Post-operative care before opting for neurosurgery

• As usual the common types of test include, blood, chest X rays, a heart function test and a possible CT or MRI scan so that you can minimize the surgery. In case if you are opting for a stereotactic surgery you might need a MRI with local markers.
• Certain problems may spring up where you might have to undertake cerebral angiogram. This means that the surgeon has a blood road map before the surgery is about to take place. Special MRI may be also called for guiding the surgeon on where not to go
• Blood flow studies is also important to guide the surgeon about the status of the blood supply reserves. You are given a catheter a day before the surgery, some medicines so as to prevent any type of seizures, removing the excess water present in brain pretty much like squeezing a sponge. It does mean that the surgeon does not have to retract a lot during the course of the surgery. In order to prevent infections you might be given dose of antibiotics as well. In case if you do have an allergy to antibiotics let everyone be aware of it.
• Before the night the surgery is about to take place is full of anticipation. Seldom is it seen that it is not you but you will be comforting your friends or relatives. If you are in panic mode this is normal. Sleep does appear to be difficult, so if you want sleep medication do not hesitate to ask for it.

Life after the surgery is over

Once a surgery is over the first 24 hours you might have to spend at the ICU or a recovery setting. At this point of time a CAT operative scan would also be undertaken.  The nurses are going to beside you repeating the neurological exam every one hour or so. This would be carried along with post-operative medicines. Not much of pain medications are given since they want to see you bright and happy. After a few hours you will be allowed to drink. With each meal you will be allowed to advance your diet. If things are ok you will be allowed in returning to work the next day. It all depends upon the circumstances; a physical therapist would visit you and then start work. In the next couple of days you will be asked to increase the levels of physical activity till the point you are ready to head home. Mostly team work is at play and all of them plan out a detailed plan of recovery for the patient.

Why India appears to be a major destination

India has gone on to emerge as one of the top nations which draws in a lot of patients for neurosurgery. The main reason could be the cost of treatment which stands to be lowest among the world. Generally people are of the opinion that low cost would mean a compromise on the quality side of things. But with India this does not work out to be the case. The quality that is provided by the hospitals stands out to be the best among the world.

In addition most of the hospitals can be compared to the best of the world in terms of infrastructure along with state of art facilities.  Most of them do have zero waiting lists which means that you get admitted on one day, and the next day the surgery is being undertaken.