Neurosurgical Procedures
There are many different kinds of neurosurgical operations, and your neurosurgeon will discuss with you in detail your particular operation. Here we have just outlined the general types of operations and the post-operative care:
Craniotomies
Any operation requiring a procedure through the skull bone is called, in general terms, a craniotomy. These operations can take from one hour to sixteen hours depending on the complexity of the procedure. You will be in the Critical Care Unit for a day or two afterwards.
Occasionally you may need a follow up investigation, such as an MRI or CAT scan. But generally, after a day lying relatively flat on your bed, you will be sitting up and eating and ready to return to the Neurosurgical Unit.
Spinal Procedures
Many surgical operations are performed to relieve pain and disability resulting from conditions around the vertebral column, most commonly the lower back or neck.
For example, there may be some pressure or impingement on the spinal nerves from a prolapsed intervertebral disc (slipped disc) or from some arthritis of the spine. Sometimes there may be instability in the vertebral column itself from arthritis, trauma or disease.
In these circumstances the surgeons can relieve the pressure on the nerves and, thereby, relieve the pain and disability. Occasionally, the vertebra need to be stabilised and a fusion operation is performed either by bone grafts, special titanium cages or stainless steel plates and rods.
After these operations you may need to stay flat in bed for a short period, perhaps with a neck support of some sort. However, you will soon be up and moving around the ward area.
Modified 18 Jul 2004
