Craniotomy in Turkey

A craniotomy is a type of brain surgery wherein part of the bone from the skull is removed to access the brain. This type of brain surgery is used to treat a brain tumor, blood clot in the brain and various types of other abnormalities related to the brain. In craniotomy surgery, bone flap (a section of the skull) is temporarily removed by specialized surgical tools and are again placed to their exact position after the surgery gets completed. The main aim of the surgeon is to access that particular portion of the brain which is abnormal. For reaching precisely to the affected area without any damage to the healthy tissues, various diagnostic tools such as CT scan and MRI can be used by the surgeon. 

There are several common causes for doing a craniotomy surgery such as:

• Aneurysm: Aneurysm is characterized by weakening of blood vessel walls and when blood flows through these walls, the vessels bulge like a balloon.

• Brain tumor: Brain tumor is a collection of abnormal cells which starts growing uncontrollably in the brain. These cells may interfere in the physiological functioning of the brain. Malignant brain tumors may be metastatic or primary brain tumors.

• Arteriovenous malformation: Arteriovenous malformation is a type of abnormalities caused due to the entanglement of arteries and vein results in poor blood flow and reduced oxygen supply.

• Brain injury: Brain injury caused by any blood disorder, swelling of brain and damage to brain tissue.

• Brain abscess: Brain abscess is caused due to inflammation and infection inside the brain and the infected material gets collected in the brain tissues.

Turkey provided the craniotomy surgery at a highly competitive price as compared to other countries. Well experienced surgeons, top facilities in the hospital, latest technologies, high success rate encourage the medical tourists to undergo craniotomy in Turkey. The average cost of craniotomy surgery in turkey is USD 15,000.

There are various factors which affect the cost of craniotomy surgery in turkey;

• Types of technologies: Types of technologies used during surgery such as cutting-edge robotics, and state of the art technologies affect the cost of craniotomy surgery.

• Types of hospitals: Hospitals with huge infrastructure and modern facilities affects the cost of surgery. Location of the hospital is also an important factor.

• Hospitals facilities: Hospitals facilities included specialized intensive care units, transportation services, free transfer between the airport, rehabilitation, health insurance co-ordination also affects the cost of craniotomy surgery.

• Cost of diagnostic tests: There are several diagnostic tests conducted before and after craniotomy surgery such as computerized tomography (CT scan), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), angiography, echocardiogram, and electrocardiography. These tests affect the cost of this surgery.

• The expertise of specialist: Cost of craniotomy surgery depends upon the experience of the doctor and his success rate.

• Medication expenses: Medication cost included anticonvulsants, pain relief, and any other medications prescribed by the surgeon.

• Extra services expenses: Extra services include rehabilitation therapy such as physical therapy also increases the overall cost of surgery.

• Affected site of the brain: More complex the surgery is, more would be the cost of surgery.   

• Patient health status: patients health status also affects the cost of this surgery because poor health status leads to increased staying at hospitals and may also increase the risk of complications.

After surgery of craniotomy, the recovery process in depending upon these factors;

• When craniotomy surgery is done, the patient is shifted in a recovery room where the vital signs are monitored.

• The patient is advised to frequently move fingers, hands, and toes to minimize the risk of deposition of a blood clot.

• Medications should be administered as directed by the surgeon or the paramedical staff.

• After craniotomy surgery, patients should take rehabilitation therapy under the guidance of rehabilitation specialists. Rehabilitation therapy included physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language therapy.

• Drowsiness, headache, nausea may be experienced by the patients undergone craniotomy surgery.

• If any infection or increase temperature is observed or there is any inflammation at the site of incision, consult with the doctor.

• Patients should avoid strenuous activities.

• If the patient experiences any reduction in mental function, seizures, nerve damage or stroke, he should consult with the doctor

Following are some of the top Hospitals for Craniotomy Surgery in Turkey: 

• Lifemed Medical Center, Istanbul, Turkey

• Liv Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

• Medicana Hospital Groups, Istanbul, Turkey

• Hisar Intercontinental Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

• Anadolu Medical Center, Gebze/Kocaeli, Turkey

• Acibadem Taksim, Istanbul, Turkey

• Medipol Mega University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

Following are the most sought after Neurosurgeons for Craniotomy Surgery in Turkey:  

• Dr. Ali Zırh, Medipol Mega Hastaneler Kompleksi, Istanbul, Turkey

• Dr. Mustafa Kemal Hamamcıoğlu, Liv Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

• Dr. Sait Sirin, Medicana Hospital Groups, Istanbul, Turkey

• Dr. Murat Cobanoglu, Hisar Intercontinental Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

• Dr. Prof. Serdar Kahraman, Anadolu Medical Center, Gebze/Kocaeli, Turkey

The success rate of craniotomy in Turkey is at par with the developed countries. The success rate of craniotomy surgery in turkey depends upon the following factors; 

• Types of brain injury: It is one of the most important factors which determine the overall survival rate. Some brain injuries such as meningioma and oligodendroglioma can be treated with high success rates.

• Patients age: Age of the patient also affects the success rate of craniotomy surgery. The recovery is faster in younger patients as compared to older patients. 

• Grades of tumors: The tumors are categorized as low-grade tumors and high-grade tumors. Patients who are diagnosed with low-grade tumors have better outcomes and high success rates after craniotomy surgery.

• Incision planning: A variety of incisions are done during craniotomy surgery. If the number of incisions is less, the patient has early recovery.