What is a Suboccipital decompressive craniectomy?
What is a Suboccipital decompressive craniectomy?
Suboccipital craniectomy refers to a surgical procedure that is performed at the base of the brain in which a portion of the skull is removed to access the surgical objective. The portion of the skull is not replaced, instead, the area is covered with a synthetic substance.
What procedures would a Suboccipital craniectomy approach be used for?
This surgery is used to remove an acoustic neuroma, a type of noncancerous tumor that forms on a nerve in the middle ear. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and requires a hospital stay.
What is craniectomy and laminectomy?
The surgeon removes a small section of skull at the back of your head (suboccipital craniectomy). In some cases the bony arch of the C1 vertebra may be removed (laminectomy). These steps expose the protective covering of the brain and spinal cord called the dura (Fig. 4).
Is Chiari surgery brain surgery?
What Is Chiari Malformation Decompression Surgery? Chiari decompression is a surgical treatment for a rare condition called Arnold Chiari malformation, in which the brain tissue protrudes into the spinal canal at the back of the skull. The condition may be present at birth or may develop as the skull and brain grow.
Is Chiari malformation classed as a disability?
If you have Arnold-Chiari Malformation that has resulted in severe symptoms that have made you unable to work, you may be eligible to receive Social Security disability benefits. A chiari malformation (CM) is a defect in the brain structure.
How successful is MVD surgery?
MVD is highly successful in treating trigeminal neuralgia (95% effective) with a relatively low risk of pain recurrence (20% within 10 years). The major benefit of MVD is that it causes little or no facial numbness compared to percutaneous stereotactic rhizotomy (PSR).
How is a suboccipital craniectomy and duraplasty performed?
Suboccipital Craniectomy & Duraplasty Suboccipital craniectomy refers to a surgical procedure that is performed at the base of the brain in which a portion of the skull is removed to access the surgical objective. The portion of the skull is not replaced, instead, the area is covered with a synthetic substance.
When do you need A suboccipital craniectomy for Chiari?
Chiari malformation: When chiari is necessary to resolve, we use a suboccipital craniectomy surgery and usually requires duraplasty to complete. Chiari malformation is a structural defect between the brain and the area of the skull near the base. The skull at the base does not fully grow and doesn’t provide enough room for the brain.
What happens to the skull after a craniectomy?
The portion of the skull is not replaced, instead, the area is covered with a synthetic substance. Duraplasty is a type of repair or expansion of dura (the outer covering of the brain) when it has been cut open during surgery. It is often closed with another compatible soft tissue material taken from another part of the body.
How does Chiari decompression surgery widen the brain?
Chiari decompression surgery removes bone at the back of the skull to widen the foramen magnum and create space for the brain. The dura overlying the herniated tonsils is opened and a patch is sewn to expand the space, similar to letting out the waistband on a pair of pants.