The National Cancer Institute notes that surgery often is the first treatment for a brain tumor. Patients with epilepsy, a cerebral aneurysm, pressure in the brain, bleeding in the brain, abnormal blood vessels or other damage to the brain may undergo brain surgery. As part of the procedure, the surgeon pulls up the scalp and removes a section of the skull. Once the surgeon completes her work on the brain, she uses wires, small metal plates or sutures to put the bone back in place. Like other types of surgery, brain surgery does carry certain risks.
Brain Damage
When the surgeon is removing the abnormal or damaged tissue in the brain, he may injure normal brain tissue. The National Cancer Institute explains that this brain damage can be temporary or permanent. With temporary brain damage, the symptoms lessen over time. But with permanent brain damage, patients need rehabilitation to cope with their deficits. For example, if the brain damage occurs in one of the language areas of the brain, such as Wernicke's area, patients can have problems speaking in complete sentences. Speech therapy would help these patients find new ways of communicating. Other functions that can become affected with brain damage include vision, memory, coordination and balance. Damage to the brain tissue may also cause seizures or personality changes.
Increased Intracranial Pressure
Some brain surgery patients can develop increased intracranial pressure. This increased pressure in the brain can result from the brain swelling or from a build-up of cerebrospinal fluid. Increased intracranial pressure can cause lethargy, vomiting and headaches in patients. MedlinePlus notes that seizures and behavioral problems can also develop. The National Cancer Institute points out that if brain swelling caused the increased intracranial pressure, doctors will give patients steroids. If cerebrospinal fluid build-up caused the increased intracranial pressure, doctors will perform another surgery, in which they insert a shunt that drains the excess fluid out of the brain.
Bleeding Problems
Another risk of brain surgery is bleeding problems. For example, if a surgeon accidentally hits a blood vessel during the surgery, bleeding in the brain can occur. Some patients may have a blood clot form. MedlinePlus points out that a stroke may occur, either an ischemic stroke or hemorrhagic stroke. With the ischemic stroke, a blood clot blocks the blood flow, while with a hemorrhagic stroke, a blood vessel bursts. Both types of stroke prevent areas of the brain from getting enough blood, which results in cell death.
Infection
An infection can develop after brain surgery on some patients. The University of Maryland Medical Center explains that patients can develop Staphylococcus aureus, a type of bacterial meningitis. This type of infection causes an inflammation of the meninges, the membranes that cover the spinal cord and brain. The National Cancer Institute adds that doctors can treat the infection with an antibiotic.
Coma
MedlinePlus points out that a coma is a possible risk of brain surgery. While in a coma, patients are unconscious and they cannot move or respond. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke notes that comas rarely last more than two to four weeks. After coming out of a coma, patients may have some physical or neurological problems that require treatment.
References
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Brain Surgery
- National Cancer Institute: What You Need to Know About Brain Tumors
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Increased Intracranial Pressure
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Meningitis
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Coma Information Page
