Sarvesh Health City

Sarvesh health city
Sarvesh Health City
Book an Appointment

Awake Brain Surgery vs Traditional Brain Surgery: Key Differences

Awake Brain Surgery
Understanding-Heart-Disease The process of brain surgery is one of the most complicated in current medicine and with the time, the treatment has evolved to ensure the patient’s safety and a better outcome. The two widely used methods are, traditional brain surgery under general anesthesia and an awake brain surgery (awake craniotomy) where the patient remains awake during the operation. Each of them differ significantly in their advantages, risks, and recovery that can affect decision-making by patients and their families. In this article, we will compare the two types of brain surgeries by highlighting their differences, pros, and areas of application. If you are looking for the best neurosurgery hospital in Hisar, Sarvesh Health City is the place to be, which will guide you in making a wise choice.

What Is Traditional Brain Surgery?

Traditional brain surgery, known as craniotomy with general anesthesia, is the standard method. The patient is made fully unconscious with the aid of anesthesia, intubated, and without pain for the whole time of the operation.

As a result of the surgery, the surgeons open a small part of the skull (also known as a bone flap) to get access to the brain, take out the tumor, fix a vascular malformation, or help with bleeding. Though pre-operative MRI scans and neuronavigation systems assist the surgeon, the surgeon’s ability to do the on-the-spot check for speech or movement is very limited.

This method is the best in the situations where:

  • The lesion is a long way from the zones that control speech or movement.
  • The patient is not in good medical condition or not psychologically prepared to be awake during the operation.
  • The surgery of pediatric or uncooperative patients is required.

What Is Awake Brain Surgery?

Awake brain surgery, also known as awake craniotomy, is a complex operation in which the patient is kept awake during a part of the procedure. The use of modern anesthesia (the “asleep–awake–asleep” method, most times) ensures that the patient is free of pain, but is still alert enough to follow the surgeon’s commands.

The doctor locates the area in the brain which is causing the problem by electric stimulation and asks the patient to do some quick tests – speak, count, or move the fingers – that help to identify and isolate those brain parts, which are responsible for words and movement.

Generally, awake brain surgery is the first choice in the following scenarios:

  • Tumors or lesions in the “eloquent” brain regions (language, motor, or sensory areas).
  • Epilepsy surgery that involves cortical mapping.
  • A situation where the removal of the tumor as much as possible but still in a safe way can extend the survival period or improve the quality of life.

Key Differences Between Awake and Traditional Brain Surgery

Though both methods have same goal, that being safe and effective treatment, they are different in a few aspects:

1. Type of Anesthesia

Traditional Surgery: The patient is fully asleep under general anesthesia, hence no discomfort during operation.

Awake Surgery: The patient is sedated but kept awake during the most delicate moments, thus better understanding and communication with the surgical team is possible.

2. Brain Mapping and Monitoring

Traditional Surgery: Brain imaging that is done before the surgery and indirect monitoring are the sources of surgeons’ information and guidance, in this case, there may be a limitation of functional feedback in real-time.

Awake Surgery: Immediate mapping of speech, movement, and memory functions that are helped to avoid damage to those critical brain areas.

3. Risk to Neurological Function

Traditional Surgery: There is a possibility of a slightly higher risk of impairment of speech and movement when the operation is done near “eloquent” areas of the brain.

Awake Surgery: The risk is lower, as the surgical team can test the functions during the operation.

4. Extent of Tumor Removal

Traditional Surgery: Surgeons are sometimes forced to be conservative to avoid deficits which in turn can leave behind part of the tumor tissue.

Awake Surgery: As a result of this method, doctors can remove the tumor completely and safely in most cases where it is located close to critical brain regions.

5. Recovery and Hospital Stay

Traditional Surgery: Recovery takes longer because of anesthesia effects, with a longer hospital stay.

Awake Surgery: Patients generally get recover in a shorter time, have fewer anesthesia-related side effects, and are discharged from the hospital earlier.

Choosing Between Awake and Traditional Brain Surgery

Usually, surgeons decide to perform an awake brain surgery when the abnormal growth or cyst is near the speech, movement, or memory centers of the brain. Mapping and monitoring the functions simultaneously in the surgical field allow the surgeon to go deeper and remove the tumor while lessening the risk of neurological impairments. The use of this method may also lead to shorter hospital stays, a quicker recovery, and less anesthesia side effects.

Nevertheless, traditional neurosurgery is the best choice in many cases. It is the most suitable for those patients who are not able to remain calm and still during the procedure due to their age, anxiety, or other medical conditions. Besides, this surgery is performed if the tumor is located in brain areas, where functional mapping is not needed, or when the surgery has to be carried out as soon as possible.

The point is that while awake surgery is the one used when the functions of the brain are to be preserved and the patient can be involved in the process. Traditional surgery is the one that provides more safety and comfort with the use of full anesthesia or when the patient is not able to participate in the awake procedure.

Final Thoughts

Awake brain surgery as well as traditional brain surgery are both safe as well as effective methods, pros of each are different and unique. The determination of the right decision depends on the location of the tumor, the patient’s condition, and the surgeon’s advice. 

If you or someone you love is going to have a brain surgery, then Sarvesh Health City is Clinically certified and the best neurosurgery hospital in Hisar will definitely be of great help to you. The experts here will help you in understanding your various options and choosing the safest and quickest way towards recovery and quality of life improvement.

FAQs

Q1. Is awake brain surgery painful?

ANS. No. The brain neurons do not transmit any pain signals, and local anesthesia combined with sedation is given to make the patient feel comfortable throughout the surgery.

Q2. How long is an awake brain surgery compared to a traditional one?

ANS. The time spent in the operating room for the awake procedure may be a bit longer due to mapping, but the recovery is usually quicker, which results in a shorter hospital stay.

Q3. Can anyone do awake brain surgery?

ANS. Not everyone is a candidate. The patients need to be able to maintain calm, understand the instructions, and be able to tolerate the fact that they are awake.

Media Resources

Media enquiries

  • Sarvesh Health City
  • Sarvesh Health City Site No. 1, Sector 14, Hisar – 125001 (Haryana)
  • +91 6901 626262
  • +91 6901 636363

Social Media

Facebook-f Twitter Linkedin-in Instagram Youtube

Healthcare at your fingertips

Umesh-Kalra
DR. UMESH KALRA

CHAIRMAN & SR. NEUROSURGEON

Discover Dr. Umesh Kalra, Chairman & Sr. Neurosurgeon at the leading Neurosurgery Hospital in Hisar, trusted for brain & spine excellence