The rapid progress of neurosurgery is tied to several technical innovations. It began with the introduction of the operating microscope and appropriate instrumentation in the 1960s and has continued with many innovations in neuroradiological diagnostics. Accordingly, indications for surgical treatment were changing and expanding, and the operative technique, as well as conservative treatment, became more precise and reliable. Of course, these changes required a narrower specialization of neurosurgeons and other related specialists. This text aims to make you aware of today’s, modern possibilities of neurosurgery and to try to anticipate what innovations in this field await us in the future.
What Is Neurosurgery And What Does It Do?
Neurosurgery is a branch of medical surgery that deals with the operative treatment of diseases of the skull, brain, spine, and nerves. Today, an increasing number of diseases can be successfully treated with minimal invasiveness. This generally involves small surgical cuts on the skin, small openings on the skull – and increasingly incision-free techniques. Today, all this is possible thanks to the development of new knowledge about the cause of the disease, techniques – and the development of assistive devices in treatment. Therefore, an increasing number of neurosurgeons like Dr Timothy Steel for example, have to master minimally invasive methods to treat their patients without the need for a knife. For example, these techniques are used today to treat most discus hernias and pain in general – as well as treating aneurysms, benign tumors, etc.
What Should We Know?
Our main goal is to try to answer some of the questions that doctors have heard over the years from patients or their relatives in the infirmary. However, keep in mind that not all of this information can replace a conversation with a specialist. They just need to make it easy for you.
Health Problems Requiring An Operational Approach
Today, the fields of modern neurosurgery provide advanced operating services. First, in the form of minimally invasive spinal surgery – where complete endoscopic operations of degenerative diseases of the spine, such as all forms of discus hernia and stenosis of the spinal canal and microsurgical tubular spine surgery – are distinguished. Besides, doctors perform these types of surgeries along the entire spinal column. They can treat many degenerative diseases and many spinal tumors. Many surgeries are also performed in the field of general neurosurgery. Most often it involves operations of benign tumors on the brain and in brain tissue, operations of certain malformations of blood vessels of the brain – and all forms of blood flow in the brain and on the brain. There are other less common pathological conditions such as drainage surgery for various forms of hydrocephalus and surgery for certain congenital and acquired anomalies of the central nervous system. Finally, surgery is performed on all types of craniocerebral injuries – that is, head injuries with brain injuries.
What Are The Most Common Neurosurgical Interventions?
Regardless of the complexity of this branch of medicine, patients most often turn to a neurosurgeon for some of their most common problems. These conditions are very often a reflection to the modern way of living – which diminishes the quality of life and thus causes some of the typical health problems such as
- Lumbar discus hernia surgery
- Lumbar spondylosis / spinal stenosis surgery
- Coccigodinia surgery (coccygeal bone extirpation)
- Carpal tunnel syndrome surgery
- Elbow (cubital) tunnel syndrome surgery
- Peripheral neurectomy in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia
- Surgery of spinal tumors
Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery – The Future In Treating Many Health Issues
Minimally invasive neurosurgery is a developmental course that incorporates some of the most up-to-date procedures in the field of neurosurgery. The goal is to complete the operation – while still maintaining the patient’s body, that is, the surrounding tissue is maximally spared. This procedure reduces scars, pain after surgery, speeds up recovery, so postoperative complications are virtually minimized. Trauma occurring when approaching the target area is also significantly less when minimally invasive surgery is applied. Minimally invasive neurosurgical interventions also include brain surgery, such as endoscopic surgery. In such cases, there are generally no cuts to the skull, but an endoscopic camera is implemented over the nose, reaching the brain – to see the part that needs surgery.
More Complex Interventions
However, despite some easier procedures – neurosurgery is most often associated with some very complex operations – the most important of which are performed on the brain. The most common health problems that cause this approach are brain tumor, aneurysm, epilepsy, brain abscess, various types of trauma, tumors, etc. The most commonly performed brain surgery is a craniotomy about which you can read more at brain-surgery.com. This is the process by which the layers of the skull and brain are cut to reach the brain tissue. Although today, with the good training of a neurosurgeon, it has become almost routine – craniotomy is a very complex procedure. Therefore, it also requires very extensive diagnostics. That way, doctors can detect pathological changes – and according to the results, they can plan the course of surgery.
Surgical Stroke Prevention – A Novelty In Neurosurgery
Stroke is the second leading cause of death in the western world after heart disease and it is globally more lethal than cancer. In addition to this data from the World Health Organization, stroke is a leading cause of adult disability. Some of the risk factors for the development of the disease can be influenced, and some not. Unhealthy lifestyle habits, as a risk factor, can be altered – but gender (males are more likely to develop the disease ), age, or genetic factors cannot be affected. Therefore, prevention is imperative. With the surgical method, ever-low-risk carotid endarterectomy, the brain can be “rejuvenated” in such cases – and the patient can return to a full and active life in record time. A prerequisite for this is that the damage to the blood vessels and the cerebral circulation is detected on time, which is also possible with the help of non-invasive and easily accessible diagnostic method of Color Doppler ultrasonography. This type of stroke prevention is an almost routine practice for top professionals.
Therefore, always consult with proven medical specialists who already have years of experience in their work. Their tips and guidelines will certainly help you live longer and better.
