Your Hospital Recovery After Craniotomy

Craniotomy is a surgical opening made in the skull. This is done to reach and treat several types of problems in the brain. Special tools are used to temporarily remove a piece of the skull. This allows access to the brain for surgery. The most common reasons for having a craniotomy include:

• A blood clot (hematoma)
• Tumors
• Aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations (AVM)
• Brain abscess

After a craniotomy is done, the surgeon will talk with your family and friends. After the surgery, you will be taken to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) to be closely monitored as you wake up. Once you are stable, you'll be moved to the ICU (intensive care unit) for continued close monitoring and care.

On waking, you may have a headache, nausea, and body aches. Your nurses can give you medicines to ease the pain and nausea. Monitors may be used to measure your heart rate or the pressure inside your skull. You may be wearing special leg stockings (compression stockings) to help prevent blood clots. And, for a short while, you may need oxygen by mask or, if you are not breathing well enough on your own, you will have a tube in your mouth attached to a machine (ventilator) to help you breathe.

You may be moved from the ICU to a regular hospital room within several days or longer, depending on your condition. Once in your room, you're taught breathing exercises to help keep your lungs clear. Your health care team will work to have you eating and walking as soon as possible.

If you're having a hard time doing certain physical activities, therapy may be prescribed. Depending on your needs, therapists can work with you to improve balance, strength, speech, and daily living skills. You may need an assistive device like a walker or wheelchair. If you're having problems with strength, balance, or movement, your therapist may suggest installing handrails in hallways or bathrooms at home for safety. Your doctor may recommend that you wear a specialized helmet after surgery during rehabilitation to protect the brain from damage.