Brain surgery at Leeds Hospital

FAQs

• Will I be awake during my brain surgery?

  For some operations, yes. This might sound frightening, but it's a well-established technique used when your surgeon needs to check functions such as speech or movement during the operation. You won't feel pain, as the brain itself has no pain receptors, although the skin and muscle are numbed with anaesthetic.

• Is Gamma Knife treatment the same as brain surgery?

  Not quite. Gamma Knife is a type of stereotactic radiosurgery that aims beams of radiation at the brain to destroy or shrink a tumour. Despite the name, it isn't a form of surgery, since no incisions are made.

• What happens to any tissue removed during my operation?

  A sample is sent to a laboratory, where its characteristics are analysed to help diagnose your condition. If any tissue is left over after testing, your team will discuss with you before the operation about whether you would like it stored in a tissue bank for use in research or future treatments. Please discuss this with your healthcare team.

• How long will I be in hospital?

  This depends on your operation. Some less invasive procedures need only a day or two in hospital, while recovery from an open craniotomy can mean a stay of up to 10 days.

• Will I need further treatment after surgery?

  You might. Depending on your condition, you may be given steroids or antiepileptic medicine after surgery, and if you had a tumour, you may go on to have chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or both, to treat any remaining cells.

• Is brain surgery safe for everyone?

  Not always. It's a major operation, so you need to be well enough to have it, and some areas of the brain, such as the brainstem, are too difficult or risky to operate on safely. If brain surgery isn't suitable for you, your doctor will discuss other treatment options with you.