What are the risks of brain tumor surgery?

Generally, the risks associated with brain tumor surgery mainly include neurological damage, intraoperative and postoperative bleeding, intracranial infection, cerebral edema, anesthesia complications, and others. These risks are closely related to the complex anatomy of the brain and the difficulty of surgical procedures, necessitating thorough preoperative assessment. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Neurological dysfunction: Different regions of the brain control various bodily functions. If neural tissues are touched or damaged during surgery, it may lead to corresponding functional impairments such as language disorders, motor deficits, or decreased vision and hearing. Some injuries may recover in the short term, while others may persist long-term.

2. Intraoperative and postoperative bleeding: The brain has a rich vascular network, and blood vessels may be injured during surgical manipulation, causing bleeding during surgery. Delayed bleeding may also occur postoperatively due to incomplete hemostasis or vascular spasm. Minor bleeding can often be managed medically, but significant hemorrhage may compress brain tissue and increase intracranial pressure.

3. Intracranial infection: Surgery requires opening the skull and entering the cranial cavity. If strict aseptic techniques are not followed during the operation, or if wound care is inadequate afterward, bacteria may enter the cranial cavity and cause infections such as meningitis or brain abscess.

4. Cerebral edema: Surgical trauma can stimulate brain tissue, leading to increased fluid accumulation and resulting in cerebral edema. This condition elevates intracranial pressure and may cause symptoms such as headache, vomiting, and altered consciousness. If not promptly controlled, it can compress surrounding brain tissue and worsen neurological damage.

5. Anesthesia complications: General anesthesia is required for the surgery. Some patients may have allergic reactions to anesthetic agents, or experience adverse events such as respiratory depression, cardiac arrest, or severe blood pressure fluctuations during anesthesia due to underlying medical conditions.

Prior to surgery, doctors will comprehensively evaluate risks based on the tumor's location, size, and the patient’s overall health status, and will fully communicate with the patient and family members to formulate an individualized surgical plan. After surgery, close monitoring of vital signs and timely management of any complications are essential to support the patient's stable recovery.