What is a Craniotomy?

A craniotomy is the removal of a part of the skull or the cranium bone. Specialized tools are utilized to take out the part of the bone. After the brain surgery is performed, the bone flap is removed and then replaced.

Some craniotomy processes may use the advice of computers and magnetic resonance imaging or MRI or computerized tomography or CT scans to arrive at the precise location inside the head which is to be medicated. This technique requires using a framework placed on even a system with or the skull put landmarks or markers. It is known as craniotomy when either of the imaging processes is utilized in addition to the process.

Scans manufactured from the mind, together with those computers and localizing frames, give a three-dimensional picture, by way of instance, of a tumour inside the mind. It’s beneficial in attaining the location of the tissue and making the differentiation between tissue and tumour cells.

General guidelines for craniotomy post-operative care

Keep the incision site clean – Craniotomy incisions are often closed with sutures or surgical staples. Follow the craniotomy post-operative care regarding anaesthesia care of the physician. Some doctors instruct patients to keep the incision dry, whereas others make it possible for patients to gently wash their own hair and the incision shortly after the operation. Do not use any lotions, creams or sprays, unless instructed by your physician. It may be a good idea to cover the head using a bandana or hat that is loose while going outdoors.

Inspect Incision site regularly – Regularly, inspect the incision for signs of disease or complications. An incision that becomes red and hot to the touch might be infected. Similarly, a leaking or oozing fluid following the bandage removal can signal a potential complication, e.g. – increased brain strain or cerebrospinal fluid flow. Any abnormalities should be noted. 

Control Infection – Most patients go home with a prescription for a few of narcotic pain pills. If the pain pills aren’t enough to control anxiety, once the narcotics have a workout, or when the individual is having pain, notify the medical provider. Persistent or uncontrollable pain may be an indication of complications. 

Gradually return to action – Friends and relatives might want to pamper the individual who’s had surgery, but it is ideal to let a person perform as far as possible independently. Simple everyday activities like getting dressed, meal preparation are excellent exercise and probably equally important as formal occupational and physical therapy.

Complications from a craniotomy

Allergic reaction to the anaesthesia

• Injury in the mind pin fixing apparatus
• Injury to facial muscle or to the sinuses
• Infection of the bone flap
• Seizures, Illness
• Brain injury or Brain Inflammation, Stroke
• Caring for yourself

A few general suggestions are as follows

• Please adhere to prescribed medications.
• Before using Alcohol, please obtain a clearance from your health care provider.
• Where the bone flap was removed, there might be a depression on your skull hence be careful.
• Your wound may ache for a couple of days. You will experience itching because of the skin heals.
• You will experience headaches for a couple of weeks.
• Your wound may have a little pocket of fluid for a short time under it. That is normal and should disappear with time.
• The skin on one side of the wound may feel numb.
• You will feel tired and may go back to work only for light duties, after about fourteen days. Remember you might need to wait around three months if you need to drive your vehicle.
• Walking is an excellent form of exercise and you need to wait at least three weeks until you go back to gentle athletic activities.
• Contact sports should be avoided for a minimum of a year.
• Physiotherapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy can help you handle any issues like address issues and clumsiness. Treatment is needed when there were difficulties before operation.
• See your physician at once in case you notice any symptoms of wound infection e.g. redness or release, or in case you have some other unusual symptoms such as severe headache, seizures, nausea, confusion or chest discomfort.

Discomfort – After surgery, pain could be handled using narcotic medication. They will have to be used for two to four months because narcotics are addictive. Their use may also lead to constipation, so drink a lot of water and consume fibre rich foods. Stool softeners e.g., Dulcolax, Senokot, Milk of Magnesia could be purchased without a prescription. Afterwards, pain is managed with acetaminophen e.g., Tylenol.

Request your physician before taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (e.g., aspirin, Advil, Motrin, Nuprin; naproxen sodium, Aleve). NSAIDs interfere with bone healing and can lead to bleeding.

A medication may be prescribed to prevent seizures. Frequent anticonvulsants include Dilantin (phenytoin), Tegretol (carbamazepine), and Neurontin (gabapentin). Some individuals develop side effects (e.g., nausea, equilibrium problems, migraines) in the anticonvulsants. In such situations, handle the side effects and blood samples have been required to track the medication amounts.

Limits the patient must be mindful to adhere

• Don’t drive after the operation until discussed with your physician and avoid sitting for extended intervals. 
• Don’t lift anything heavier than 5 lbs (e.g., 2-litre bottle of pop), for example, kids.
• Housework and lawn work aren’t allowed until the initial follow-up office visit. Including gardening, ironing, vacuuming, mowing, and loading/unloading the dishwasher, washer, or dryer.
• Don’t drink alcoholic drinks.

Action

• Infection is common after surgery. Go back to your regular activities. 
• Moderate stretches to the neck could be advised.
• Walking is invited; begin with short walks and gradually increase the distance. Before discussed with your physician wait to take part in different kinds of exercise.

Bathing / Incision Care

• • You may shower and make your incision or sutures moist. Use a gentle baby shampoo. Take care to not allow the water to hit on your incision. Wash any dried blood in the incision area.

• Don’t submerge your mind in a tub – Scrub your incision every day and look for signs of disease, like swelling, swelling, yellow or green discharge, hot to your touch.

Four-Week craniotomy post-operative care

Post-operative nursing care for craniotomy is listed below on a  weekly basis:

1st Week post op craniotomy nursing care

• Get plenty of sleep as your body requires it to recover faster. 
• No straining or weight lifting.
• Utilize skin sensitive shampoo such as baby shampoo till incision is well healed.
• You may ride in a car but no driving.
• Early ambulation is invited to reduce your risk of greater risk of blood clots and pneumonia. Start off using 1-2 cubes a day and increase as tolerated.
• No sexual activity.

2nd Week post op craniotomy nursing care

• Attend to the post-operative trip for suture/staple evaluation and removal.
• Boost ambulation every day as much as can be tolerated.
• No driving but might ride as a passenger.
• Might climb stairs with help.
• When away from narcotic medicine and replace non-narcotic pain medicine.
• No sexual activity.

3rd Week post op craniotomy nursing care

• Proceed to boost action and therefore permitted to do fundamental tasks.
• May restart sex if feeling better.

4th Week post op craniotomy nursing care

• Boost activity as tolerated.
• May return to work post doctor clearance.

When to Call Your Doctor

If you notice any of the following

• A fever exceeding 101.5º F
• An incision revealing signs of infection, such as inflammation, swelling, pain, or drainage.
• If you’re carrying an anticonvulsant, also detect nausea, equilibrium issues, or migraines.
• Reduced endurance, increased nausea, weakness of legs or arms, raised headaches, nausea, or severe neck pain which prevents lowering your chin toward the chest.

As patient recovery is ensured by craniotomy post-operative care, postoperative care is a vital element of the curing process. Post-operative care for individuals might be easy and may be short term or long term or may entail procedure for a few.

In case of long term post-operative care, a patient is much better off within the warmth of home rather than a hospital. Aiding this kind of care is something that we provide from our home care nursing services. As a part of our services, our group of nurses and other caregivers, would come and see you and offer care. In some cases, the nurse may remain with the individual for 24*7 monitoring and attention.