Intracranial Surgery- Craniotomy: opening of the skull
- Purposes: remove tumor, relieve elevated ICP, evacuate a blood clot, control
hemorrhage
- Craniectomy: excision of portion of skill
- Burr holes: circular openings for exploration or diagnosis, to provide access to
ventricles or for shunting procedures, to aspirate a hematoma or abscess, or to make a
bone flap
Burr Holes
Preoperative Care: Medical Management
- Preoperative diagnostic procedures may include CT scan, MRI, angiography, or
transcranial Doppler flow
- Medications are usually given to reduce risk of seizures
- Corticosteroids, fluid restriction, hyperosmotic agent (mannitol), and diuretics may
be used to reduce cerebral edema
- Antibiotics may be administered to reduce potential infection
- Diazepam may be used to alleviate anxiety