Neurosurgery is the branch of medicine dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the nervous systems including the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Also known as neurological surgery, this surgery is also concerned with the prevention and rehabilitation of disorders affecting any part of the nervous system.

A neurosurgeon is one who specializes in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of disorders of the nervous system, both central and peripheral. Such a surgeon would be trained to diagnose and prevent disorders like tumors, trauma, brain infection, spine infection, stroke, vascular disorders, etc.     

Types of Neurosurgery 

There are different types of neurosurgeries used as per the medical conditions and requirements of the patient, including:

Cervical Spine Surgery: – This surgery for the Cervical Spine is done via the following two different approaches – one, a small cut is made on the side of the neck, or second, the cut is made back of the neck.

Lumbar Spine Surgery: – This type of surgery is done to treat issues related to the low back, or Lumbar Spine.  

Carpal Tunnel Release: – A small surgery where a small cut is made at the base of the palm to help resale the carpal ligament.  

Ulnar Nerve Decompression: – A surgery to free the ulnar nerve through a small cut near the elbow to relieve pain, and tingling.

Craniotomy: – A surgery that is needed to treat bleeding of the brain, swelling of the brain, and brain tumor. 

Signs and Symptoms for Neurosurgery

There are some general signs and symptoms which indicate the need to look for neurosurgery. Let’s have a look at those signs:-

• In case of seizure
• When severe headache persists and recurs
• Persistent swelling of the ankles
• In cases of continued bleeding or bruising
• Cases of severe nausea or vomiting
• Cases of persistent skin rash
• Worsening neurological problems

Treatment in Neurosurgery

Your neurosurgeon would recommend surgery when other options are not yielding results. Neurosurgery would depend on the diagnosis and other factors. During any surgery, the patient is kept under general anesthesia before the start of the procedures.

The length and nature of surgery depend on the conditions as some are done as outpatient surgery. A small cut is made either at the neck, palm, or back in surgeries to relieve pain and tingling issues.   In the Micro-Discectomy, a small, vertical incision is made near the spine to find the herniated part of the disc. Craniotomies are an extremely specialized kind of surgery performed under general anesthesia. In this, a piece of the skull is removed for the procedures to begin.