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As a board-certified neurosurgeon, Dr. Ilyas Munshi leads a private practice in Lafayette, Louisiana. There, Dr. Ilyas Munshi regularly performs craniotomy procedures.
The term “craniotomy” refers to the technique that a neurosurgeon uses to expose the brain for the purpose of performing a particular surgical procedure. Often used to provide access for procedures like tumor removal or aneurysm repair, it also allows surgeons to assess the brain tissue or relieve pressure under the skull. The procedure involves the removal of a section of bone from the skull, which when removed is known as the bone flap.
After the patient is shaved and sedated, the surgeon secures the patient to a device that keeps the head still. The surgeon then identifies the spot to be treated and creates an incision that allows him or her to lift up the skin and muscle above the skull. Once the skull is exposed, the surgeon drills a series of small holes to guide the removal of the bone flap. The surgeon then uses a saw to connect the drilled holes and separate the bone flap from the rest of the skull.
Once the bone flap is removed, the surgeon cuts through a protective membrane called the dura to expose the brain. This exposure allows the surgeon to perform the necessary procedure. After the procedure is complete, the surgeon closes the dura and replaces the bone flap. Screws and plates, permanently fitted, attach the bone flap to the skull and hold it in place.
Ilyas Munshi 