Endoscopic Brain Surgery

Traditionally, brain surgeries were performed by making large incisions in the skull. But it had many drawbacks. When endoscopy came into existence in the medical surgery field, most people switched to less invasive brain surgery- endoscopic brain surgery.

At Arete Hospitals Neurosurgery Department, a top-rated multidisciplinary team of Neurosurgeons in Hyderabad is available to perform minimally invasive endoscopic brain surgeries. They make use of high-end technologies and surgical techniques to treat a range of conditions that affect the brain, including tumours and lesions.

What is Endoscopic Brain Surgery?

Endoscopic brain surgery is a minimally invasive operation performed by neurosurgeons to identify and appropriately treat deep-seated brain conditions. It is a surgical procedure designed mainly for the Treatment of Brain Tumours in Hyderabad.

The endoscopic approach for brain surgery does not only mean accessing the brain through holes in the skull but even through other pathways like the nose and sinuses. It involves the use of an endoscope- a tube fitted with a light source and camera, to look and operate the pathology or problem within the brain. The surgery is carried out while looking at the monitor/ TV screen on which the actual target size is seen magnified more than 100 times. 

What does Endoscopic Brain Surgery Involve?

The patient will be under general anesthesia to remain unconscious and feel no discomfort throughout the surgery. During the Endoscopic Brain Surgery in Hyderabad, the neurosurgeon inserts an endoscope through one or two tiny incisions in the skull or through a nasal opening. This endoscope transmits real-time images of the problem area of the brain onto the display screen. The neurosurgeon uses these images as a guide to remove brain tumours or repair the affected site of the brain of the patient using specialised surgical instruments.

The different endoscopic brain surgical procedures we perform at Arete Hospitals include:

1. Brain Tumour Removal in Hyderabad: Both benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) brain tumours can be removed with endoscopic surgery. The endoscope allows for good visualisation of the tumour and surrounding structures and helps minimise damage to healthy brain tissue during tumour removal.
2. Cyst Drainage: Some brain conditions can result in cysts on the brain. Cysts are fluid-filled sacs usually caused by an infection or head injury/trauma. They can exert pressure on the brain tissues and cause mild to serious symptoms. Endoscopic surgery can be performed to drain brain cysts/cystic brain lesions and relieve pressure.
3. Hydrocephalus Treatment in Hyderabad: Hydrocephalus is a neurological condition wherein cerebrospinal fluids leak and build up into the deep-lying cavities (ventricles) of the brain, thereby causing increased intracranial pressure. Endoscopic surgery can be performed to create a separate pathway for draining excess cerebrospinal fluid from the brain’s ventricles, typically by placing a shunt.
4. Treatment of Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs): AVMs are unusual intertwined blood vessels that can make several irregular connections between the arteries and veins. When formed in any part of the brain, they can cause a rupture of blood vessels and bleeding within the brain. Endoscopic surgery can be used to treat AVMs formed in the brain by accessing them through small incisions and either sealing off or removing the blood vessel tangles.
5. Biopsy: Endoscopic brain biopsy is recommended in cases where a definitive diagnosis of a brain condition is needed, but it is challenging to access the affected area through a conventional approach. It is done to collect brain tissue samples for further analysis of the pathology.
6. Treatment of Brain Abscesses or Infections in Hyderabad: Brain abscesses are pus-filled inflammation in the brain caused by bacterial, parasitic, or other infections. Endoscopic surgery can help drain the infectious material within the brain and treat brain abscesses or infections, thereby reducing swelling in the brain.
7. Treatment of Epilepsy: For epilepsy patients in need of surgical intervention, endoscopic surgery may be recommended to locate and remove the seizure focus or disconnect abnormal neural connections that cause seizures.
8. Pituitary Tumour Resection: In some people, tumours can develop in the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland produces certain hormones and is located at the base of the brain. Endoscopic surgery through nasal opening is often performed to access and remove pituitary tumours.
9. Ventricular System Disorders: Endoscopy surgery can be used to diagnose and treat obstructions, infections, or other conditions affecting the brain's ventricular system.

After Discharge

• Limit physical activities for a few days. Avoid strenuous activities for 4-6 weeks
• Avoid any scalp hair treatments for 4 weeks after surgery
• Do not lift, pull, or push heavy weights until advised by the surgeon
• Rehabilitation is required through standard therapies like physical, occupational, and speech therapies to recover normal brain functioning. 

Risks Associated with Endoscopic Brain Surgery

Every surgery comes with some risks. The risks posed by endoscopic brain surgery are specific to the area of the brain being operated on and the pathology or nature of the disease. As compared to conventional open surgery, the risks are minimal with endoscopic brain surgery because of less retraction of tissues during the surgery.

The potential risks as per Arete Hospitals neurosurgeons include:

• Seizure
• Infection
• Bleeding
• Blood clots
• Swelling
• Brain stroke
• Coma
• Temporary or permanent effect on motor or sensory functions of the brain like memory, vision, speech, coordination, balance, and others depending upon the brain site being operated.