Neuro Surgery

Introduction

Neurosurgery is a medical specialty that provides comprehensive care for patients with severe neurological disorders.

However, it not only treats brain and spine disorders but also various interventions.

Additionally, patients often face challenges in accessing high-quality neurological care at an affordable cost.

Here’s your chance!

India’s leading neurosurgery centers provide world-class treatment for various neurological conditions such as brain tumors, spinal injuries, peripheral nerve disorders, and cerebrovascular issues.

Explore India’s leading neurosurgery centers and get world-class treatment at the lowest cost without compromising quality care.

What is Neurosurgery?

This medical specialty focuses on diagnosing and treating patients with injuries to or diseases/disorders of the brain, spinal cord, spinal column, and peripheral nerves in all body regions.

What does a Neurosurgeon do?

A neurosurgeon diagnoses and treats conditions related to your body’s nervous system such as the brain, spine, spinal column, and all the nerves that extend from your spinal cord.

Neurosurgeons often recommend conservative care before surgery. For example, if you have chronic back pain, you may be advised to try anti-inflammatory drugs or physical therapy first, yet if these treatments aren’t effective, surgery might be considered.

India’s neurosurgeons are skilled in various surgical techniques, which include:

• Open surgery
• Minimally invasive surgery
• Microsurgery
• Endovascular surgery
• Endoscopic surgery
• Chronic pain interventional procedure

Understanding Brain and Spine Disorders

Common Brain Disorders:

• Brain Tumors

It can be benign or malignant and may originate in the brain or spread from other parts of the body.

The symptoms of brain tumors can be different for each person, but common signs include:

1. Seizures, which may show up as convulsions or strange sensations.
2. Ongoing headaches that may get worse over time.
3. Vision problems, like blurred or double vision.

• Aneurysms
  It's a weakened area in the wall of a blood vessel that results in an abnormal widening or ballooning of over 50%; however, it may occur in any blood vessel, but is most often seen in an artery rather than a vein.

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
  It appears due to sudden trauma to the head, which leads to brain damage, yet symptoms depend on the severity and location of the injury. 

• Epilepsy
  It is a neurological disorder that is characterized by sudden seizures, and if medications can't manage to control it, then surgical options will be recommended.

Common Spine Disorders:

• Herniated Discs
  It occurs when a soft inner material pushes against and leaks out of its outer ring, which leads to pain, numbness, and weakness in your neck, back, and legs. However, it can heal on its own, but if symptoms persist, you need to see a healthcare provider.

• Spinal Stenosis
  It occurs when the space inside the backbone is too narrow, which can put pressure on the spinal cord and the nerves traveling through the spine.

• Scoliosis
  It's a spinal deformity that can cause abnormal sideways curves of the spine, often in the shape of C or S, yet it can affect people at any age, but mostly in children.

• Degenerative Disc Disease
  It occurs when cushioning in your spine begins to wear away; however, it is most common in older adults. Moreover, the right treatment option can improve mobility and provide relief.

Common Neurosurgical Procedures

Neurosurgery has a variety of procedures to help diagnose and treat conditions affecting the nervous system, like the brain and spinal cord. Here is a list of some common neurosurgical procedures:

• Anterior Cervical Descectomy

ACDF is a procedure that treats issues in the neck through the front of the throat. This surgery removes pressure on the nerves and spinal cords in the neck and manages certain types of arthritis that can cause significant pain.

• Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF)

TLIF surgery is a type of spinal fusion, which is one of the types of lumbar interbody fusion surgeries that removes or replaces intervertebral disks in your lower back.

• Deep Brain Stimulation

It is a medical procedure that uses a mild electrical current applied to a specific part of the brain. This current stimulates the brain cells in that area, which can help alleviate various medical conditions.

• Spine Tumor Surgery

Spine tumor surgery is recommended when neurosurgical methods don’t help to treat benign or malignant tumors to reduce their size and prevent back or neck pain. 

• VP Shunt

It stands for ventriculoperitoneal shunts that are primarily used to treat a condition which is called hydrocephalus, which is a condition that occurs when excess cerebrospinal fluid collects in the brain ventricles.

• Stereotactic Neuro Surgery

SRS uses many focused radiation beams to treat tumors and other problems related to the neck, brain, spine, lungs, liver, parts of the body.

• Frontal cervical discectomy

The most frequent neurosurgical treatment for treating herniated discs in the neck is called an anterior cervical discectomy. The procedure's objective is to remove the herniated disc to relieve pain. When non-surgical pain management methods are ineffective, neurosurgeons frequently suggest this technique.

• Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap)

It is also known as a spinal tap, which is a test that aims to diagnose certain health conditions. It is performed on your lower back in the lumbar region. Additionally, this procedure is performed to collect cerebrospinal fluid to check for infections, inflammation, or other diseases and to measure the pressure of cerebrospinal fluid.

• Craniotomy

It is a surgical procedure that removes a portion of the skull bone to expose the brain, using specialized tools to remove the section of bone known as the bone flap.

• Laminectomy

A laminectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of the lamina, the bony arch that covers and supports the back part of the spinal cord in the vertebrae. This procedure helps relieve pressure on the nerves and spinal cord by creating extra space in the spinal canal.

• Chiari Decompression

The procedure aims to remove bone from the back of the skull to enlarge the foramen magnum, creating more space for the brain. Additionally, the surgery is intended to manage the progression of symptoms by relieving compression and restoring the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid.

• Epilepsy Surgery

This procedure helps reduce seizures and improve the quality of life for patients with epilepsy. However, it is most effective when seizures originate from a single brain area. It is not considered a first-line treatment; rather, surgery is an option when at least two antiseizure medications have failed to manage the seizures effectively.

• Ventriculostomy

It's a common surgical procedure that helps to drain excess cerebrospinal fluid from your brain, which helps to treat hydrocephalus and reduce the pressure on your brain from a traumatic injury.

• Microdiscectomy

It is also known as microdecompression or micro diskectomy, which is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that is performed on patients with herniated lumber disc. In this procedure, the surgeon removes the positions of the herniated disc to relieve pressure on the spinal nerve column.

• Spinal injury

One of the less complicated (but still rather sophisticated) neurosurgical operations is a lumbar puncture, often known as a spinal tap. It is a diagnostic process used to ascertain whether the patient is displaying symptoms of any central nervous system disorders. Overall, the operation is risk-free when done by a skilled neurologist, and the risks are small.

Comprehensive Neurosurgery Services in India

India has emerged as a global hub for international patients in neurosurgical care by offering services such as diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation for various neurological disorders. India’s leading hospitals are equipped with the latest advancements and highly skilled neurosurgeons and staff members who are dedicated to providing quality care.

Scope of Neurosurgical Services:

Indian hospitals offer various neurosurgical procedures which include:

• Brain Tumor Surgery

Indian hospitals use advanced techniques for the removal process of both benign and malignant brain tumors.

• Spinal Surgery

Minimally invasive approaches are used in Indian hospitals to treat conditions such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and spinal tumors.

• Pediatric Neurosurgery

India offers personalized care for children who require neurosurgery with advanced care and techniques.

International Patient Services for Neurosurgery in India

India is known for offering quality care and services to international patients seeking neurosurgical care by offering advanced medical facilities, skilled neurosurgeons, and various support services.

Comprehensive International Patient Services:

• Many hospitals in India have specialized departments that are focused on assisting international patients with personalized care throughout their medical journey in India.
• India’s top neurosurgery hospitals offer international patient services such as video consultation services to provide information like telemedicine options, and coordinated care plans that help to ensure access to expert opinions before arrival.
• Comprehensive assistance with travel arrangements, visa services, airport services, and accommodations ensures a stress-free experience in India.
• Indian hospitals also offer language interpretation services which is important for clear communication and comfort for patient and their families.

Benefits for International Patients in India:

• World-Class Medical Care
  India offers advanced neurosurgical procedures, which are performed by India’s best neurosurgeons who are dedicated to providing quality care, and many are trained internationally.

• Affordable Treatment
  The cost of neurological procedures in India is affordable as compared to Western countries without compromising the quality of care.

• Holistic Support
  Indian hospitals offer medical services, logistical and personal needs, which ensure personalized care and make it a preferred destination for neurological interventions.

Technology Used in Neurosurgery in India

Neurosurgery hospitals in India use advanced treatment methods that ensure high precision of operations and reduce the risk for patients. Here is a list of some modern treatment methods that are used in neurosurgery in India:

• Minimally Invasive Surgery
  This procedure is less damaging to the body compared to open surgery, resulting in less pain, shorter hospital stays, and fewer complications. Laparoscopic surgery is one type of minimally invasive surgery, while robotic surgery is another type.

• Neuronavigation
  It's a computer-assisted technology that helps doctors navigate the brain, spinal cord, and nerves during surgery. 

• Neuro Monitoring
  It is also known as electrophysiology, which helps to monitor the electrical activity of the nervous system. Additionally, it is used during surgery to assess the function of the brain, nerves, and spinal cord.

• CUSA (Cavitron & Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator)
  It helps to separate the tumor cells without causing any damage to the surrounding areas of the brain and preserving the blood vessels in the tumor. Moreover, this advancement helps doctors to resect the tumor safely and save the patient’s life.

• Intraoperative MRI (iMRI)
  It's a procedure that allows surgeons to see inside a patient’s body during surgery by using an MRI scanner. Moreover, it is often used during brain surgery, yet it can also be used to see other parts of the body as well.

• Intraoperative Computed Tomography (ICT)
  This technology provides images of the body, allowing surgeons to synchronize existing scans with new ones. Access to this information enables surgeons to make better decisions during complex surgeries.

• Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE)
  It is a non-invasive technique that accurately measures tissue stiffness and reliably assesses both global and regional stiffness in the brain in vivo. However, brain stiffness is sensitive to various physiological and pathological processes.

• CyberKnife
  It's a non-invasive, painless system of radiation that helps to offer accurate and effective treatment for tumors anywhere in the body. It uses a combination of computers, image-guided cameras, and robotic technology that directly targets the tumor cells.

• Gamma Knife Surgery
  Gamma knife surgery is a type of radiation therapy that uses computer-guided planning to treat brain and upper spine conditions and tumors. It delivers highly focused energy beams to a specific area of the treatment, and thus, this type of radiation also reduces the risk of damaging surrounding tissues.

• Da Vinci Robotic Surgery 
  This is a minimally invasive approach that offers various benefits compared to traditional open surgery. It offers great precision and control to the surgeon, which makes it a safe and effective surgical outcome.

• Neuroendoscopic Surgery
  It's a surgical technique that involves using a long, thin tube called an endoscope that helps the doctor to diagnose and treat conditions involving the brain, spine, and other parts of the nervous system.

What to expect?

Your neurosurgeon will also ask about your family's medical history due to the fact that some health disorders run in families. Your current medications and lifestyle choices will also be questioned. 

A thorough physical examination is crucial to determining a diagnosis. Immediately following your neurosurgery and possibly for a few weeks afterward, you will feel exhausted and less steady.

Conclusion

Brain, spine, and nerve problems are dealt with by neurosurgeons through prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Additionally, they manage and treat illnesses that have an impact on blood flow to the brain. Additionally to performing procedures, they could take part in a patient's post-treatment rehabilitation.