This surgery may also involve removal of blood from the brain if the aneurysm has ruptured.
What Is Brain Aneurysm Surgery?
Abrain aneurysmis an outpouching in the wall of an artery in the brain.
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Brain aneurysm surgery is the repair of this arterial defect.
During surgery, the outpouching is usually closed off with a special surgical clip.
The repair of a ruptured brain aneurysm can be more complicated than repair of an unruptured brain aneurysm.
Various Surgery Techniques
There are several ways that brain aneurysm surgery can be performed.
Craniotomy
An open craniotomy involves the removal of a small portion of the skull for access to the aneurysm.
This procedure would be performed by a neurosurgeon (brain surgeon), and you would havegeneral anesthesia.
Endovascular repair is done with the assistance of real-time imaging for visualization of the vascular structures.
This procedure would be performed by aneurosurgeon, an interventional neuroradiologist, or an interventional neurologist.
It would be done with intravenous (IV, in a vein) sedation and local anesthesia.
you’re free to have an unruptured aneurysm repaired with an open craniotomy or with an endovascular operation.
Sometimes the technique for prophylactically repairing a brain aneurysm is determined based on the location of the aneurysm.
Contraindications
Brain aneurysm surgery can be lifesaving, but it is also high-risk intervention.
Some risks can be permanent brain injury and death.
If you have brain aneurysm surgery, you will be very closely monitored for complications throughout your recovery.
You and your healthcare provider would weigh the risks and benefits of having your aneurysm prophylactically repaired.
Potential Risks
There are a number of inherent risks with brain surgery and anesthesia.
In addition to these risks, brain aneurysm surgery also involves additional risks.
Adverse events can occur with a planned aneurysm repair or with surgery thats done after an aneurysm has ruptured.
These harmful outcomes could occur during your surgery or as you are healing and recovering from surgery.
If you have brain aneurysm surgery, you will be very closely monitored for complications throughout your recovery.
Often, unruptured brain aneurysms do not cause symptoms.
Bleeding and edema could result in severe brain damage.
It can be difficult to predict with certainty whether a brain aneurysm will rupture.
Your healthcare provider may give you instructions to alter the dose of your blood pressure medication and/orblood thinners.
For a craniotomy, you would need toabstain from food and drinkbeginning the night before your surgery.
You’ll need to register and sign a consent form when you arrive at your appointment.
Your family may be asked to consent for you.
For a craniotomy, surgery is performed in a hospital operating room.
If you have excessive swelling in the brain, the surgeon may perform a craniectomy.
You will have to stay in the hospital after your brain aneurysm surgery.
If you have an uncomplicated recovery, you will be discharged to go home.
Recovery
Recovery after brain aneurysm surgery depends on the extent of damage prior to the surgery.
And it can take months or longer to heal and recover after a brain aneurysm rupture.
You will likely be taking medication to reduce swelling for several weeks.
Adaptations
You may need to make modifications to your daily life.
This can include using a walker or a cane to compensate for weakness or diminished balance.
The operation can be done with an open craniotomy or as a minimally invasive endovascular surgery.
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