Craniotomy- It is a surgical procedure in which the cranial cavity is entered by making an opening in the skull.

 Craniotomy




 Definition

It is a surgical procedure in which the cranial cavity is entered by making an opening in the skull.

 

Indications

1.To elevate a depressed fracture of the skull.

2.To drain an extradural hematoma.

3.To drain a subdural hematoma.

4.To remove a brain tumor.

5.To ligate a Berry aneurysm.

6.To prevent blindness in a case of acromegaly due to compression of optic nerve.

7.To drain a brain abscess.

8.Ventriculography.

9.Ventriculoatrial shunt for hydrocephalus.

 

Preoperative care

1.A complete neurological assessment is done to find out the exact neurological deficit present.

2.The procedure is explained to the patient and his relatives and their informed consent is obtained.

3.If the patient is aphasic, he is given a piece of paper and pencil to write down what he wants to say.

 

Postoperative care 

2.Complete bed rest is given.

3.He is kept in a room which is clean and airy, but without a blast of air coming on him directly.

4.He is put on a Dunlop bed, and if that is not available, a cotton bed, but not a coir bed. A water bed is ideal for preventing bed sores.

5.His bed should be made every day. It should be clean, dry, and warm.

6.His position should be changed every 2 hours, so that, he does not develop bed sores.

7.The back and the pressure points are dried and cleaned with spirit every 2 hours  to prevent bed sores.

8.He should be sponged every day.

9.His vital parameters are recorded half hourly.

10.Input and output chart is maintained.

11.Oral hygiene is maintained.

12.Intravenous fluids are given. Oral liquids are  started after the first three days.

13.A bowel movement is ensured every day.

14.Vomiting is observed and the findings are recorded.

15.Nails are cut once a week.

16.Hair bath is given once a week.

17.Antibiotics are given as prescribed by doctor.

 

Complications

1.Meningitis.

2.Injury to brain and neurological damage.   


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