Craniotomy is a common procedure to treat brain tumours. Watch this video by Dr Nigel, Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon, Gleneagles Global Health City, Chennai to understand how craniotomy is performed to treat the brain tumours.

The brain has four major lobes – the frontal, temporal, occipital and parietal lobe. Brain tumours can occur in any of these lobes. The location of the craniotomy will depend on where the tumour is located in the brain. Depending on the location and size of the underlying tumour, the type of skin incision will also differ.

After removing the section of the bone, the outer membrane called the dura mater is opened. Below the dura mater are two more membranes – arachnoid mater and the innermost called the pia mater. These membranes need to be opened meticulously under a microscope and then the brain tumour is removed. The aim is always total excision of the tumour as this would mean a surgical cure for the patient.

Once the tumour is removed, the membranes have to be closed meticulously using sutures. Only the dura mater (outer layer) needs to be closed. After that, the bone is fixed back with mini plates and screws which need to be there for the rest of the life of the patient. Once the bone is securely fixed, the skin is then closed in two layers. The galia is closed separately using an absorbable suture material and the skin is closed using staples.