What does craniotomy entail?

Craniotomy refers to a surgical procedure in which an opening is made in the skull to access the brain. This is often done to address a variety of medical conditions, including traumatic brain injuries, brain tumors, and hematomas. When specifically referring to draining a hematoma, the craniotomy allows the surgeon to safely remove accumulated blood or other fluids that could exert pressure on the brain, thereby relieving potential complications and facilitating recovery.

The importance of the cranial opening lies in its ability to provide direct access to the brain tissue or blood vessels, which is essential for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. This procedure is critical as it allows for interventions that can save lives and improve patient outcomes.

In contrast, analyzing brain waves pertains to electroencephalography (EEG) rather than a surgical procedure. An overview of the brain without incision typically involves imaging techniques such as MRI or CT scans, which do not involve surgical intervention. Rapid sequence intubation is a technique used to secure a patient’s airway but is unrelated to craniotomy and does not involve accessing the skull.