039712141716

Craniotomy vs. Craniectomy
General:
What is the difference between a craniotomy and craniectomy?
Both procedures involve removing a portion of the skull, usually to perform surgery on the brain. The difference is that after a craniotomy the bone is replaced and after a craniectomy the bone is not replaced immediately.
What is a cranioplasty and when is it performed?
A cranioplasty is a surgical procedure to correct a deformity or defect of the skull and it is performed once the neurosurgeon and the family feel that it is clinically indicated.
Why would my child need any of these procedures?
A craniotomy is performed to gain access to the brain for surgery by removing a portion of the skull. After the surgery, the bone that was removed from the skull is usually replaced using sutures or metal plates. An example of a situation where a surgeon may choose to perform a craniotomy is for removal of a brain tumor.
A craniectomy is performed when a portion of the skull is removed but not replaced. Some examples of situations where a surgeon may choose to perform a craniectomy are: to create room for the brain to swell after trauma, to remove the bone due to an infection in the skull or a severely damaged skull with multiple fragments.
A cranioplasty is performed to correct a deformity or defect of the skull. The deformity/defect could be congenital, as a result of trauma or acquired for example after a previous surgery involving the skull. There are a variety of surgical materials and prosthetics used for a cranioplasty. Your child’s neurosurgeon will review what materials will be used for your child’s specific cranioplasty procedure.
What are the benefits vs. risks?
A full discussion of the benefits and risks of your child’s neurosurgical procedure should be discussed with your child’s neurosurgeon. It is often a good idea to write down any questions you have before your visit so you don’t forget to ask all of your questions. You may also want to bring a pen