Information for craniotomy

What is a brain tumour?

A brain tumour is a growth of abnormal cells in or on your brain.The cause of brain tumours is not known. About 44% of brain tumours are benign (not cancerous). Because the tumour is in the brain (the control centre for thought, emotion and physical function) it can be difficult to treat. You and your doctor have decided on surgery to remove as much of the tumour as possible.

The operation

Craniotomy is an operation to remove a tumour or growth from inside the skull. The skull is opened through an incision (cut) in the head and the tumour is removed. The location of the incision (front, side, top or back of the head) depends on where the tumour is. Most people return home 2 or 3 days after the operation.

Before surgery (pre-admission visit)

Your doctor's office will book a date for you to come to the hospital for a preadmission visit. At this visit a nurse will ask you about your health and help prepare you for surgery. This visit may take several hours. You may have many tests done such as: blood work, ECG and chest x-ray. Other tests and assessments by specialty doctors (such as anesthesia) will be done as needed.

At this visit you will also be given the date and time for your surgery, as well as the time you should arrive at the hospital on the day of your surgery.

Preparing for surgery (at home)

You will be given information at your pre-admission visit about where to go on the day of your surgery, what to bring with you to the hospital and how to prepare at home.

After surgery (you will stay in hospital for 2-3 days)

You will be moved from the operating room to the recovery room for a few hours. After a few hours you will be moved to the Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit (Neuro ICU) where you will stay overnight. The next day you will be moved to a regular ward.

The nurses will check your breathing, heart rate and blood pressure. They will also shine a light in your eyes to check the response of your pupils, ask you simple questions and ask you to move your arms and legs.

You may have a tube called a catheter that drains the urine from your bladder, but it will soon be taken out.

You will have an intravenous (IV) in your arm. You may also have an oxygen tube at your nose. Both will be taken out in a day or two.

You will have a bandage on your head. You may have a tube coming from the incision that drains blood and fluid. It will be removed in a day or two.

Over the next 2 days, you will slowly be helped to drink, eat, go to the washroom and move about. You will also be given information about going home. Most people return home the third day after the operation.

At home

Now that you have had your surgery to remove the tumour, it is important to take care of your general health. Eat a variety of healthy foods, exercise regularly and get enough rest.