Awake Craniotomy

Awake Craniotomy: Brain Surgery While You're Still Conscious

Undergoing Brain Treatment... Without Being Asleep During Surgery.

If you hear the words "brain surgery," your mind might fill with fear. But did you know that modern medical technology has made brain surgery safer and more precise? This technique is called "Awake Craniotomy."

Why Be "Awake" During Surgery?

The brain is the control center for everything in your body, such as speech, movement, sensation, and emotion. Surgery near these critical areas requires extreme caution. Even a minor mistake could impact life after the operation.

Awake Craniotomy allows surgeons to monitor brain function in real time. During the procedure, the medical team communicates with the patient, asking them to move their arms and legs, speak, or recall certain words. This ensures that crucial parts of the brain are not damaged.

The Steps of an Awake Craniotomy

1. Pre-Surgery Preparation The patient receives partial sedation (but is not deeply asleep) and is monitored by an anesthesiology team throughout the procedure.

2. Opening the Skull at the Necessary Point The surgeon makes a small opening in the skull to access the area with the abnormality, such as a tumor or abnormal blood vessels.

3. During the Surgery The patient can still speak and move. The medical team will talk to the patient, asking them to smile, raise their arms and legs, or name objects to check that the brain is functioning normally.

4. Closing the Incision and Recovery After the surgery, the patient is closely monitored. In most cases, recovery is faster than with traditional brain surgery.

Advantages of Awake Craniotomy

✅Reduces the risk of speech loss, paralysis, or memory loss.

✅Helps the surgeon remove only the diseased tissue, without affecting healthy brain tissue.

✅Faster recovery due to the use of less general anesthesia.

✅The patient feels safer because they can communicate with the medical team throughout the process.

Who Is a Suitable Candidate for This Surgery?

⏩Individuals with a brain tumor near areas that control speech or movement.

⏩Patients with epilepsy who require surgery on the specific area causing seizures.

⏩Patients who are in good enough health to communicate and remain aware during the surgery.

"I'm Scared... Can I Endure It?"

Feeling scared is normal. However, every patient receives care from a specialized medical team. This includes a mental health assessment and discussions to ensure understanding before the treatment. Patients are closely cared for before, during, and after the surgery.

Awake Craniotomy: A Newer, Safer Option

In an era of advanced medicine, brain surgery doesn't have to be frightening. Being awake during surgery might be the "lifeline" that allows you to return to a normal life without losing the speech, movement, or memories that are most important to you.