5 Myths About Brain Surgery You Should Know

Myth 1: Brain Surgery Is Extremely Risky or Completely Safe With Modern Technology

Neither extreme is accurate. Brain surgery can involve important risks, including bleeding, infection, seizures, neurological deficits, anaesthetic complications and other procedure-specific problems. Risk varies considerably between patients and procedures. For example, surgery involving areas responsible for speech, movement, vision or other important functions may require particularly careful planning. Modern technologies can support surgical planning and navigation, but they do not eliminate neurosurgery risks.

How Modern Technology Helps?

Depending on the procedure, neurosurgical teams may use:

• Neuronavigation
• Intraoperative imaging
• Surgical microscopes
• Brain mapping
• Intraoperative monitoring
• Fluorescence-guided techniques for selected tumours

These tools can provide additional information during planning or surgery, but their availability and usefulness depend on the specific procedure.

What About Keyhole or Minimally Invasive Surgery?

Some neurosurgical procedures can be performed through smaller openings or minimally invasive approaches. These techniques may reduce tissue disruption in selected situations, but not every brain condition can or should be treated minimally invasively. The appropriate surgical technique depends on the patient’s diagnosis, anatomy and treatment goals.

Myth 2: Brain Surgery Always Causes Memory or Personality Problems

Brain surgery does not automatically cause memory or personality changes. However, neurological changes are possible, particularly when surgery involves areas associated with speech, memory, movement, vision, behaviour or other important functions. Before surgery, the neurosurgical team may use imaging, neurological assessment and, in selected cases, functional mapping to understand important brain regions.

What Is Awake Brain Surgery?

In some patients, surgeons may use awake craniotomy when the surgical area is close to important functional regions. During part of the procedure, the patient may remain sufficiently awake to perform specific tasks such as speaking or moving. This allows the surgical team to monitor specific functions during surgery. Awake surgery is not suitable for everyone. Its use depends on the condition, the lesion’s location, the patient’s health, and the surgical plan.

Myth 3: Brain Surgery Is Only Performed During Life-Threatening Emergencies

Neurosurgery treats both emergencies and planned conditions.

Emergency procedures may be required for situations such as the following:

• Certain brain haemorrhages
• Severe traumatic brain injuries
• Selected cases of stroke
• Some complications involving raised intracranial pressure

However, planned neurosurgical procedures may also be considered for selected patients with the following conditions:

Brain Tumours

Some brain tumours may require surgery for diagnosis, symptom management or treatment. However, not every brain tumour requires immediate surgery. Depending on the tumour’s type, size, location, growth pattern and symptoms, doctors may recommend observation, further investigation, surgery, radiation therapy, medicines or a combination of approaches.

Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

Surgery may be considered for carefully selected patients whose seizures remain uncontrolled despite appropriate medication.

Movement Disorders

Procedures such as deep brain stimulation may be considered for selected patients with conditions such as Parkinson’s disease or essential tremor.

Trigeminal Neuralgia

Certain procedures may be considered when symptoms remain troublesome despite appropriate medical treatment. The decision to operate depends on the individual diagnosis and expected benefits and risks.

Myth 4: Recovery After Brain Surgery Always Takes Years

Recovery after brain surgery varies widely. Some patients may leave hospital within several days, while others require longer hospitalisation or rehabilitation.

Recovery depends on the following factors:

• Type of surgery
• Reason for surgery
• Location of the treated area
• Neurological function before surgery
• Age and general health
• Presence of complications
• Need for rehabilitation

Some people return to many usual activities within weeks, while others need months of rehabilitation or ongoing support.

Therefore, there is no universal recovery timeline for brain surgery.

Rehabilitation After Neurosurgery

Depending on the patient’s needs, rehabilitation may involve:

• Physiotherapy
• Occupational therapy
• Speech and language therapy
• Cognitive rehabilitation
• Psychological support

The rehabilitation plan is based on the patient’s neurological function and recovery goals.

Myth 5: Every Brain Surgery Requires Shaving the Entire Head

Complete head shaving is not required for every brain operation. Depending on the procedure and surgical approach, the surgical team may remove or trim only the hair around the planned incision.

The amount of hair removal depends on the following factors:

• Surgical approach
• Incision location
• Infection-control considerations
• Hair characteristics
• Surgeon and hospital protocols

Patients can ask their surgical team about the expected incision and hair preparation before the procedure.