Craniotomy for Tumor Resection
In addition to conventional microsurgery (which is done for nearly all open tumor surgeries), other techniques can be used to improve outcome by reducing risk and maximizing resection.
Interactive Image-Guided Techniques
"Frameless" stereotactic surgery with the ISG Viewing Wand®
This is a high-powered computer workstation that converts preoperative imaging (MRI or CT) data to a three-dimensional representation of the brain and tumor (or other type of lesion) that is going to be removed.
This technology allows the surgeon to:
make a smaller incision and skull opening, thereby reducing operative trauma and, possibly, hospital length of stay, have an enhanced three-dimensional understanding of the surgical anatomy, reducing operative risk, have more confidence in the deep tumor margins, thereby maximizing the extent of resection and improving operative outcome.
Intraoperative functional cortical mapping with the Ojemann cortical stimulator®
This technology permits the surgeon to stimulate and identify the location of eloquent (motor, sensory, speech) brain areas in order to reduce operative risk and maximize the extent of resection.
Sometimes, the surgery is performed with the patient awake so that speech can be tested intraoperatively. Usually, however, the surgery is performed in the standard fashion with general anesthesia.
