Craniotomy in Heidelberg

You are given a general anesthetic, then, your surgeon makes an incision to pull up the scalp (usually from behind the hairline in front of the ear and the nape of the neck). The bone flap is then removed using a surgical saw (craniotome) and the dura (the thick covering of the brain directly underneath the bone) is opened to expose the brain for the surgeon to correct the problem and when they are done, the bone flap is put back to its original position and titanium screws are used to secure the skull. The skin and muscles are stitched back together. 

You generally need to stay in the hospital for 3 to 7 days following the surgery. Nonetheless, you need to plan to stay in Heidelberg at least 14 more days after been discharged from the hospital for initial recovery and follow-up hospital checkups where your doctor monitors your condition closely.

The recovery time depends on the underlying condition being treated. In general, full recovery may take up to 8 weeks until you can go back to your normal routine, including exercise and heavy lifting. However, some people are able to return to work and some of their routines within 4-6 weeks after surgery.

Your doctor will give you a set of instructions that you need to follow. During your stay in the hospital, you will learn breathing exercises, make sure you continue the exercises even when you are at home. You can gradually return to your normal activities, but you need to make healthy lifestyle changes, such as avoiding cigarettes (including secondhand smoke), following a healthy and balanced diet plan, and having regular exercise.

In some cases, your doctor may recommend other procedures as alternatives to a craniotomy. The alternative depends on the underlying condition being treated. For instance, your doctor may suggest you undergo stereotactic radiosurgery to treat brain tumors, which involve delivering highly precise energy beam directly to the tumor without any surgical incision.