Neuro Surgery

Neurosciences is a scientific study of the nervous system. This is a multidisciplinary branch that deals with the cellular, functional, behavioral, evolutionary, computational, molecular, and medical aspects of the nervous system. Neurosciences also focuses on the human brain and analyzes how it regulates our body and our behavior.

Some of the procedures performed by neurosurgeons include - 

• Microvascular decompression
• Peripheral nerve surgery
• Brain tumour excision
• Functional neurosurgery
• Pituitary surgery
• Cervical spine surgery.

Brain surgery is a type of surgical procedure that is performed to correct the abnormalities of the brain such as tumours and aneurysms. 

Recovery from brain surgery depends on the type of surgery one has undergone. It is usually recommended to stay for a week at the hospital after brain surgery. During this period, your doctor will observe how your body is reacting to the surgery and medications and will recommend physical, occupational and speech-language therapy sessions to help you regain your overall strength.

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) has been in use for nearly 30 years. Any possible risks and complications are well known and can be easily predicted. It is a relatively safer procedure with minimal risk.

Our Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Speciality Clinic at the hospital can provide you with the detailed information on potential complications and risks involved in the procedure.

There is a window of opportunity where Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is helpful for you. Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Therapy is no longer an option when:

• Medications stop improving your symptoms
• There is severe disability.
• Surgery is not advisable for any other contraindication

Think Earlier – A lot of people assume that Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Therapy is a last-ditch effort to preserve your way of life. This however is not true, and Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) should be considered and evaluated when your medications are becoming less effective at controlling your movements. Speaking with a Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) expert can help you find the right answers - it's never too early to talk with your doctor about Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), and it's important not to wait too long.

• Consultation with our doctors at Aster.
• If Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is a treatment option for you, extended examinations are conducted
• Once it has been established that there are no contraindications, and you have provided consent, we can proceed to the admission for the surgery.
• Pre—operative management of medication and preparation are conducted.
• Surgery is performed, and patients are usually kept awake with light sedation, to better test brain functions, effects and side effects.
• Patients are then introduced to the Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) neurostimulator, it‘s programming, and functional testing
• Transfer to a rehabilitation clinic, if required.
• Regular aftercare for outpatients (at least once a year) and follow-up care for inpatients, if needed.

• Disc prolapse (slipped disc)
• Spinal Canal Stenosis (Cervical and lumbar – narrowing of spinal canal)
• Refractory back pain
• Spinal infection – for biopsy and debridement.

• Intralaminar technique - performed from the back of the spine between two laminae
• Transforaminal technique - performed from the / side of the spine (flank) into the neuroforamen(exit  passage for the nerve ).

A healthy back is a combination of healthy bones, mobile joints, and strong muscles. Unfortunately, a complex system like our back or spine is prone to issues arising from one or more malfunctioning elements. Any disturbance to the spine and it’s supporting structures due to aging, trauma, lifestyle stresses or other pathologies can lead to spinal complications, most commonly appearing as back or neck pain. Maintaining a healthy spine is almost non-negotiable to ensure a healthy, pain-free and active life. Simple activities such as maintaining healthy posture, regular exercise, good nutrition and regular exposure to the sun, go a long way in maintaining a healthy spine.

Managing your back pain is all about taking timely action. See a trained physician about your condition if pain persists for more than a week of home treatment and rest. Depending upon their assessment of your condition, a physician may advise you one or more of the following:

• Physical therapy including exercises and other treatments like heat, ultrasound, electrical stimulation to ease the pain and strengthen the back
• Anti-inflammatory or pain medication
• Epidural spinal injections to manage the pain supporting other treatment modalities
• Lifestyle modification.

A spine specialist may diagnose you as a candidate for surgery if they feel that your problem is advanced. The nature of the spine is such that degeneration or damage to one part can trigger a cascade which can start affecting other healthy parts as well. Therefore, a surgeon may suggest that in certain cases, surgery may be the right option for you. Spine surgery has been around for several decades and has evolved into a very safe procedure. Surgeons have the dual advantage of rigorous training and advanced technologies that ensure safe and satisfying outcomes. A large number of patients are known to have benefitted after spine surgery performed for conditions such as lumbar spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, disc herniation. Talk to your surgeon openly about your concerns!

Since MISS is technically challenging, enough care is taken on different aspects to ensure a safe and good outcome. It is important for you, as a patient considering MISS, that your surgeon is well-trained, and has enough experience of performing a wide range of spine key-hole surgeries. In addition, the hospital staff and infrastructure should also support performing these Minimally Invasive Procedures with accuracy, precision and safety. MISS is a way of life at Aster. More than 90% of the spinal surgeries here are done through minimally invasive techniques. Aster is probably the only hospital that ‘regularly’ does MISS for cervical pathologies and complex spine cases.

Clinical Expertise:

Dr. Umesh Srikantha, Head of Spine Services at Aster, has performed close to 2000 minimally invasive spine surgeries in the past seven years. His experience in MISS ranges from the most basic procedures like lumbar microdiscectomy, foraminotomy and decompression surgeries to the most complex spinal fusion procedures for advanced pathologies like tumors and high-grade spondylolisthesis. He is one of the top surgeon faculties in the country for MISS, having trained more than a hundred aspiring surgeons to adopt MISS through advanced training programs. The OR team at Aster has also been supporting MISS for the past seven years and is proficient with the use of complex MISS instrumentation and high-end technologies such as navigation and neuro-monitoring.

Technology:

We all know how the advent of data connectivity, GPS and Google Maps, has simplified road travel for the common man. We rarely feel the need to stop and to ask for directions. More importantly, we are able to reach the correct destination in the shortest possible time. Similarly, modern and state-of-the-art hospitals invest in and routinely use surgical navigation technologies. The use of surgical navigation systems along with advanced pre-surgery planning software has revolutionized a surgeon’s ability to visualize the anatomy in 3D and perform more accurate surgeries even through smaller skin incisions and narrow tubes. In addition, the use of intra-operative neuro monitoring ensures critical nerve structures are monitored and protected through the course of Spine surgery. At Aster, these advanced enabling technologies are used routinely to ensure MISS is performed with utmost accuracy, precision and safety.

Yes, a Neurosurgeon plays a vital role in managing the recovery process after surgery for neurological conditions. They are involved in post-operative care to ensure optimal healing, rehabilitation, and recovery for their patients. Here's how a Neurosurgeon helps manage recovery after surgery:

Post-Operative Monitoring: Neurosurgeons closely monitor patients in the immediate post-operative period to assess their neurological status, vital signs, and wound healing.

Pain Management: They oversee pain management strategies to ensure patients are comfortable during the recovery phase following surgery.

Wound Care: Neurosurgeons coordinate wound care and monitor for any signs of infection or complications at the surgical site.

Rehabilitation Planning: They may develop or oversee a rehabilitation plan that may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, or other forms of rehabilitation to help patients regain function and mobility.

Medication Management: Neurosurgeons manage post-operative medications, including pain medications, antibiotics, and other drugs to support the recovery process.

Follow-Up Care: They schedule follow-up appointments to assess the patient's progress, review imaging studies, and adjust the treatment plan as needed.

For your first visit with a Neurosurgeon, it's important to bring the following documents and information to help facilitate a thorough assessment and discussion:

Medical Records: Bring any relevant medical records related to your neurological condition, including imaging studies (MRI, CT scans), test results, and previous treatment history.

List of Medications: Provide a comprehensive list of all medications you are currently taking, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements.

Insurance Information: Have your insurance card, identification, and any necessary referral forms ready for billing and authorization purposes.

List of Symptoms: Prepare a detailed list of your symptoms, including when they started, how they have progressed, and any factors that worsen or alleviate them.

Questions and Concerns: Write down any questions you have about your condition, treatment options, surgery, recovery, and expectations for the visit.

Past Surgeries or Hospitalizations: Inform the Neurosurgeon about any past surgeries, hospitalizations, or significant medical events in your history.

Contact Information: Provide contact information for your primary care physician and any other relevant healthcare providers involved in your care.
 

To prepare for your first visit to a Neurosurgeon, consider the following steps to ensure a productive and informative appointment:

Gather Medical Records: Collect all relevant medical records, imaging studies (MRI, CT scans), test results, and previous treatments related to your neurological condition.

List of Medications: Prepare a comprehensive list of all medications you are currently taking, including dosages and frequencies.

Symptom History: Write down a detailed list of your symptoms, including when they started, how they have progressed, and any factors that worsen or alleviate them.

Questions and Concerns: Compile a list of questions you have about your condition, treatment options, surgery, recovery, and long-term outlook.

Medical History: Be prepared to discuss any past surgeries, hospitalizations, medical conditions, and family history of neurological disorders.

Insurance Information: Have your insurance card, identification, and any necessary referral forms ready for billing and authorization purposes.

Support: If possible, bring a family member or friend to the appointment for emotional support and to help remember important details discussed during the visit.

A Neurosurgeon plays a critical role in a patient's treatment by providing specialized care for conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. Here are key aspects of the role of a Neurosurgeon in a patient's treatment:

Diagnosis: Neurosurgeons are skilled in diagnosing complex neurological conditions through a thorough evaluation of symptoms, imaging studies, and diagnostic tests.

Treatment Planning: They develop personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient's specific condition, health needs, and treatment goals.

Surgical Interventions: Neurosurgeons perform intricate surgeries to treat conditions such as brain tumors, spinal disorders, vascular malformations, and traumatic injuries to the nervous system.
Minimally Invasive Procedures: They utilize advanced techniques, including minimally invasive and endoscopic approaches, to minimize trauma, improve outcomes, and reduce recovery time.

Risk Assessment: Neurosurgeons discuss the potential risks, benefits, and alternatives of surgical procedures with patients, helping them make informed decisions about their care.

Post-Operative Care: They oversee the post-operative recovery process, including monitoring the patient's neurological status, managing pain, and coordinating rehabilitation services.

Collaboration: Neurosurgeons collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of healthcare providers, including neurologists, radiologists, oncologists, and physical therapists, to ensure comprehensive and coordinated care.

Patient Education: They educate patients and their families about the condition, treatment options, recovery expectations, and post-operative care to support informed decision-making and optimal outcomes.