Treatment, Surgery & Anesthesia
Craniotomy
A craniotomy is a surgical opening of the skull to access the brain or membranes, sometimes used in encephalocele repair.
In short: Craniotomy
- It provides access for an open (transcranial) repair.
- The bone is replaced or reconstructed afterward.
- It is one approach, distinct from endoscopic repair.
- It allows direct access to the protrusion and membranes.
What it is
It is a surgical procedure in which a section of the skull is temporarily opened to access the brain or its membranes. The bone is replaced or reconstructed at the end of the operation.
Understanding Craniotomy
In an open (transcranial) encephalocele repair, a craniotomy provides direct access to the protrusion, the membranes, and the bony defect, allowing the surgeon to manage the sac contents and achieve a watertight closure. This open approach is one option; some encephaloceles, particularly basal and nasal types, may instead be repaired endoscopically through the nose. The choice depends on the location, contents, and individual situation.
Why it matters
Understanding craniotomy helps families see what an open repair involves and how it differs from an endoscopic approach, and why the choice depends on the specific encephalocele.
Common questions
What is a craniotomy?
A temporary surgical opening of the skull.
Is the bone replaced?
Yes — it is replaced or reconstructed afterward.
Is it the only approach?
No — some types are repaired endoscopically.
Bottom line
A craniotomy temporarily opens the skull for an open repair, with the bone reconstructed afterward.
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