Microscopic Brain Tumour Surgeries

The term “microsurgery” refers to a variety of techniques used by surgeons to perform operations on small or delicate brain regions, employing a powerful operating microscope and specialized tools. In the past, extensive skin incisions and bone openings were necessary during brain surgery to enable neurosurgeons to access the brain and identify the relevant lesion. Due to the limited visibility of intricate structures within the skull, certain conditions remained untreatable.

A solution emerged with the advent of advanced operating microscopes, which provide brilliant illumination and significantly magnify the surgical site, including minute blood vessels and nerves. Most surgical teams can view a high-resolution image displayed on a monitor through these operating microscopes. By utilizing microsurgical tools, our neurosurgeons can precisely operate on or remove brain abnormalities while skillfully manoeuvring around the tiniest blood vessels and nerve endings. Additionally, during an operation, the surgeon can employ the operating microscope to examine the brain for any remaining tumors, damaged blood vessels, or other issues requiring attention.

What is the goal of Microscopic Surgery?

The surgery’s objectives could be:

• The entire brain tumour is removed (resected).
• To relieve symptoms and allow or improve the efficiency of other therapies, partial excision of tumours close to sensitive parts of the brain may be necessary.

Typically, a biopsy is carried out during surgery to remove the tumour. A biopsy is a surgical procedure to remove a small sample of a brain tumour for microscopic analysis.

How is Microscopic surgery conducted at Apollo Hospital Karnataka?

Before the Procedure

Prior to microsurgery, patients may be asked to undergo testing or medical evaluations. In addition, they may be instructed to:

• Begin taking specific medications or adjust their current medication regimen.
• Cease smoking and alcohol consumption.
• Avoid using aspirin or any other inflammatory medications.
• Discontinue the use of herbal supplements, as they can increase the risk of bleeding.

Prehabilitation, also known as rehabilitation before surgery, can help patients achieve better health and strength prior to their surgery and enhance their recovery afterwards. The Surgical Prehabilitation and Readiness (SPAR) program can guide patients and provide them with goals and techniques to prepare them for surgery.

During the Procedure

Instead of directly viewing the area being operated on, a surgeon performing microsurgery uses a microscope to visualize it. Specialized operating microscopes and delicate instruments are used by surgeons to repair these intricate bodily structures. Additionally, the operating room is equipped with low lighting to enhance the microscope’s visibility. Another tool utilized by the surgical team is a video camera that provides a view of the operating room.

Depending on your level of involvement, you may be fully awake or under the effects of anaesthesia during the procedure. In certain cases, it may be necessary for you to assist your surgeon by providing feedback on your sensations during specific phases of the procedure. Your doctor will provide instructions on the essential steps of the surgery and what to expect in the days following the procedure, usually the day before the surgery.

After the procedure

If you are undergoing a minimally invasive treatment such as microsurgery, your hospital stay should typically last no more than a day or two. The duration of your recovery may vary based on the complexity and type of operation you underwent. It is important to maintain communication with your neurosurgeon to schedule regular checkups and discuss any potential side effects.

Recovery after surgery

After the surgery, you will be promptly transferred to a recuperation area. While the effects of the anaesthesia wear off, specialists will monitor your breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure to ensure they return to normal. Once you have awakened and your vital signs are stable, you will be transferred to a standard hospital room to complete your recovery. The day after the surgery, an MRI or CT scan will be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment.

Depending on your situation, you may require assistance with movement, speech, vision, and/or cognitive functions. Your medical professional may recommend the following based on your condition:

• Physical therapy can help restore lost motor abilities or muscular strength.
• If you have difficulty speaking, speech therapy can be beneficial.
• Occupational therapy can assist you in resuming your normal daily activities.

Benefits of Microscopic Surgery

Micro-neurosurgery has certain advantages, including the following:

• Reduced pain
• Requires little intrusion
• Muscle sparing
• Minor bleeding (due to a broken blood vessel)
• A shorter stay in the hospital
• Quicker recuperation
• More accuracy during Surgery

Additionally, these factors may result in a less uncomfortable postoperative period, a quicker recovery, and a more satisfying outcome.

Risk and Complication of Microscopic Surgery

The following are potential dangers associated with microscopic surgery:

1. Reaction to administered anaesthesia
2. Blood clot or enlarged brain
3. Bleeding in the brain
4. Stroke, seizures, and coma
5. Speech and visual impairment, as well as incoherence
6. Infection at the incision site

Treatment at Apollo Hospitals, Karnataka

Apollo Hospitals’ Neurosurgery Centres in Karnataka provide exceptional care in microscopic surgery. The majority of spinal and brain surgeries are performed using a high-powered operating microscope, which offers enhanced magnification. By utilizing a microscope, the spinal cord and the surrounding brain area experience minimal damage during the procedure. Patients who undergo micro neurosurgery recover faster and encounter fewer post-surgical abnormalities. Additionally, the shorter hospital stay associated with this technique contributes to reduced healthcare costs.