HomeBrain Surgery Discharge Instructions

Patients Instruction following Craniotomy

Your follow up appointment is with Dr. _____________________

on ________________ at ________________

To have sutures/staples removed in 7 to 10 days, on _____________________________.

Location of suture/staple removal ____________________________________________.

Phone number ____________________; Date of Head CTS/MRI is ________________.

You have just undergone a surgical procedure called a craniotomy. This may have been done for the following reasons:

  1. Brain Tumor – Craniotomy is often done to obtain a biopsy, partial resection or complete resection (removal) of tumor.
  2. Blood vessel abnormality – Craniotomy is often done to remove or clamp an abnormal blood vessel in your brain. ( such as a aneurysm, AVM, venous malformation)
  3. Other: _________________________________________

The physician who performed this operation has given specific instructions for your recovery. The information included in this instruction sheet is only an outline of some important information on your activities and possible concerns during your recovery. Please contact your physician about any addition questions or concerns not covered in the discharge sheet or if any information provided here differs form your physicians verbal instructions.

As with any major surgery, especially with the brain, you must allow your body time to recover following such a procedure. It may take a month or more before you gain your energy level. It is very important to obtain the extra rest you need during this recovery period in order to allow the healing process to occur. The following is a list or activities and restrictions that should be used as a guide for your recovery.

Activity:

  • You should have a family member or friend stay with you for the first few days following your discharge.
  • Get plenty of rest, i.e. Sleep in late, take naps, go to bed early.
  • Avoid keeping your head flat, prop it up with extra pillows.
  • You may take short walks, but avoid heat, humidity, or extreme cold. Stop if you become fatigued or if you are in pain.
  • No heavy lifting, use your knees when bending.
  • Your head may be washed only if your sutures have been removed. Avoid using hairdryers, creams or ointments on your suture line unless otherwise instructed. Cover your head in the sun.
  • Avoid driving until your surgeon gives your permission.
  • Avoid cigarette, and cigar smoke.
  • You may resume your regular diet.
  • It is important to avoid junk food and alcoholic beverages, and maintain good nutrition.
     

Medications:

Take prescribed medications as directed. Notify your physician before taking over the counter medications.

You may be sent home with prescriptions for the medications you have been taking in the hospital these medications may include the following:

  • Pain relief: (Lorcet, Percocet, Darvocet, Tylenol with codeine) these medications are used to reduce the amount of headache and incisional pain that may be present after surgery.
  • Antiswelling: (Steroids; Decadron, Medrol, Hydrocortisone) this medication is used to decrease the amount of post-operative brain swelling that might occur following the surgery.
  • Antiacid: (Pepcid, Axid, Zantac, Prilosec) this medication is used to decrease the amount of excess stomach acid which may be caused by steroids (see above) or from the stress of surgery.
  • Anti-seizure: (Dilantin, Phenobarb, Tegretol, Depakote) this medication is given to almost all patients before, during and after a craniotomy in order to help reduce the risk of seizure. There still is a seizure risk despite these medications and your physician may need to adjust the dose of medication by using periodic blood tests.

Your discharge medications are:

  1. ________________________________________________
  2. ________________________________________________
  3. ________________________________________________

Notify your doctor or go to the local emergency department if you experience any of the following:

  1. Signs of infection (pus or discharge of any type)
  2. Fever or Chills
  3. Any new deficits, (i.e. Weakness, vision changes, speech or swallowing changes)
  4. Report all changes (i.e. Seizures, drowsiness, confusion, weakness, and vision changes)
  5. Call your doctor with any questions or concerns or if you are unsure about what symptoms should be examined in the emergency department.

Tri-State Neurosurgical Associates-UPMC
Phone: 1-888-234-4357