Brain tumor can be removed while the patient is talking

Operations related to the brain, control center of our body, require great attention and precision. Even the smallest mistakes made in these operations can lead to the loss of basic functions such as movement, speech, and permanent consequences. In awake craniotomy operations, known as awake brain surgery, patients' basic functions and as well as their abilities can be preserved. Specialists of the Department of Brain, Nerve and Spinal Cord Surgery of Memorial Şişli and Ataşehir Hospitals provided information about awake craniotomy operations, especially used in brain tumor surgery.

General anesthesia is not applied.

When performing a surgical procedure on a living body under normal conditions, it is paid attention to fulfill this as painless and with high quality. Because it is difficult to make an operation on painful brain, general anesthesia is applied in many brain tumor surgeries. In some brain tumor surgeries that require the patient to be awake, awake craniotomy surgeries are performed as an alternative to general anesthesia. Level of wakefulness in which depth can be adjusted is achieved with the help of special anesthesia medication prescribed to the patient. 

The patient can even play the instrument.

In craniotomy surgeries, the region where the brain tumor is located is important. Tumor surgeries located in the area where the speech center is also located and carry outs arm, leg or eye movements, may carry a risk of loss of function. Although the patient's life is saved by removing the tumor in the brain, he/she should be awake during such tumor operations so that there is no loss of function. With the microsurgical method, microscopic areas of the brain are reached using high technology, while the patient helps the surgical team by talking, moving his/her hands and feet or even playing instruments if he has the ability. In case that there are any problem with the patient's speech, functions such as hand and foot movements while the tumor is removed, the surgeon can change the path that he/she will reach the tumor. If there is no problem with these functions during surgical operation, there is usually no risk of encountering a problem after surgery.

The patient is being woken up in a controlled way at the most critical moment.

Anesthesia has great importance in awake brain surgeries, so the anesthesiologists involved in these surgeries need to receive special training. Owing to advanced technology, the patient's wake-up time can be kept limited. The patient is awakened only at the most critical moment of the operation and is directed to help the surgeon. After removal of the tumor without loss of function, the patient is put to sleep again and the operation is completed. This process related to the operation is explained to the patient in detail previously, and psychological support is provided if necessary, so that the patient does not experience panic at the time of awakening.

It is important that the patient is suitable for this operation.

Although awake brain surgery has great importance in certain cases, it is not recommended for the patients whose psychological conditions are not suitable for it. The person to whom these surgeries will be performed must be suitable for psychotherapy and suggestion. Only 10% of brain tumor surgeries is performed while the patient is awake. That the tumor is in the region called motor region is one of the most important factors in performing awake brain surgeries.

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