Craniotomy Care

What is Craniotomy ?

Craniotomy is a surgical removal of part of the skull (bone flap) to expose the brain. (done under general anesthesia). The bone flap is removed temporarily and replaced at the  end of the surgery.
If the bone flap is not replaced immediately, its known as craniectomy.

Reasons For A Craniotomy Surgery

  • Blood or blood clots in the brain or in membranes covering the brain.
  • Diagnosis and removal of brain Tumors.
  • Removal of abnormal mass in blood vessels of brain (AV malformation).
  • Drain out puss from pus filled pocket ( brain Absess)
  • Compression fracture and Traumatic brain injury (Head Injury)

Common Risks Associated with Crainotomy:

  • Infection
  • Infection of the lungs (pneumonia)
  • Seizures
  • Muscle weakness
  • Brain swelling
  • Leakage of the fluid that surrounds and cushions the brain (cerebrospinal fluid)

Rare Risks related to specific places in the brain:

  • Memory problems
  • Speech difficulty
  • Paralysis
  • Abnormal balance or coordination

What happens after Surgery?

Initial management: Craniotomy patients are treated in ICU initially. Once the condition is stable, patient is moved to the room. The patient will need several more days in the hospital or in a transition care facility to recover faster and prevent complications.

Why Is Rehabilitation Care Needed After Craniotomy ?

The patient with craniotomy will need a multidisciplinary rehabilitation care. Each member of the team plays a vital role in total recovery of the patient.

  • Medical Care:

Oxygen may be needed for many days. Patient will be monitored closely and gradually weaned off before discharge.

Regular checking of brain function. Following commands such as moving arms and legs. Strength of muscles, arms and legs, Pupillary function, general orientation to time, person and place.

  • Skilled Nursing Care:

Regular monitoring of the overall condition and reporting any deviations in health status.

Safe administration of prescribed medicines.

  • Nutritional needs: Tube feeding or assisted oral feeds
  • Positioning: The head of your bed may be raised to prevent swelling of your face and head. Some swelling is normal.
  • Early ambulation: patient is encouraged to move while in bed. As the strength improves, patient is assisted to get out of bed and walk around under supervision.
  • Pressure ulcer risk assessment measures to prevent bed sore.
  • Care of tubes and lines: urinary catheter care, Tracheostomy care, wound care.
  • Sequential Compression Device may be applied to legs help prevent blood clots by passively compressing the leg veins to keep blood moving.
  • Hygiene and grooming.
  • Foot care is very important in diabetics as they have risk of developing diabetic foot ulcer.
  • Physiotherapy: We will evaluate the muscle strength, balance, and mobility of patients. Focused physiotherapy is provided followed the assessment. There could be a change in care plan as per the assessment. PT will train the resident/family, the exercises to continue at home.
  • Speech and swallow therapy: Patient of tube feeds will be regularly monitored by the swallow therapist and oral feeds will be instituted after swallow test and ensuring that there is no risk of aspirating the fluid to lungs. Patient with difficulty in speech will be assisted to restore speech.
  • Respiratory Therapy: Chest Physiotherapy and deep-breathing exercises are offered to help re-expand the lungs and prevent pneumonia. Tracheostomy care will also be monitored and assisted to prevent complication and early removal of tube.
  • Clinical Nutrition: Meeting the nutritional requirements of the patient, type of feed, frequency and quantity of feed, supplements etc are decided and monitored by dietician on a daily basis. Diet chart is prepared and given when the patient is discharged.
  • Wellness Counseling: Long term hospitalization, ICU experience, and the disease itself can cause emotional disturbances. The clinical psychologist play an important role in the emotional wellbeing of the patient.
  • Occupational Therapy: Patients having difficulty in fine movements, grip etc will be trained to become self-dependent for activities of daily life such as dressing, combing hair, buttoning shirt and picking up small objects.

Why HCAH SuVitas Is Best For Craniotomy Care

  • First of its kind model of transition healthcare and rehab facility in India.
  • HCAH Suvitas provides early effective and empowered care in a home like environment.
  • HCAH Suvitas has mutidisciplinary skilled and experienced teams delivering personalized care for each resident admitted in HCAH Suvitas.
  • HCAH Suvitas has state-of-the-art facility with single AC room for each resident and has the faciliy for an attendant to stay at no additional cost.
  • We take utmost care in infection prevention and control.

Why HCAH SuVitas ?

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