How to do a craniotomy

Have you ever wanted to know how neurosurgeons actually access the brain? Learn about some of the tools that we use and how we actually perform a craniotomy with the Brain Surgeon's Vlog.
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In this video I'm using a model called the MARTYN which was kindly donated by the Royal College of Surgeons of England. It's pretty life-like.
I'll be using a perforator to make the actual hole in the skull (called a burr hole) and then joining those holes using a craniotome (which literally means skull - cut). Underneath the skull is the dura, a leathery covering over the brain.
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The cool medical illustrations are by Artibiotics and you can see more of them in the acute subdural video here -
• Acute Subdural Haemato...
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Subscribe to the Brainbook channel on KZbin:
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Discover more on our website and join our mailing list:
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✍ Medical illustrators:
www.artibiotics.com
www.ladvic.com
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Please watch: "Lumbar spine surgery - percutaneous fixation"
• Lumbar spine surgery -...
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[@Brainbook]

Drills, skulls and brains - make sure you check out the premiere on Sunday to learn about one of the most fundamental parts of brain surgery!

[@Brainbook]

@@akbar9714 indeed ventriculo peritoneal shunts are slightly barbaric but necessary unfortunately. I'm glad you had an enlightening experience with us and see you at the live chat later!

[@abdulf7437]

@@Brainbook what I wanna know is how can craniotomy be done with a 6 cm long wound opening, I was a patient that underwent a surgery and had craniotomy done but when I see my wound it doesn't look big enough to take out a flap like its 6 or 7 cm at max , what I thought they did is they stretched the wound open but when I rethink it the wound is still too small

[@lovewarrior2329]

Tho you make it look easy, it's not brain surgery! 🤣

[@lovewarrior2329]

LOVED your video.. Currently going to school and doing well for the beginning of my career as an MA. Do you happen to have any suggestions on how I can use MY brain more effectively? I have a gut feeling that I'm on the right path, but is it the right course? I want to be more than a nurse.. My mind can and wants to explore more. Any thoughts and/or advice would be greatly appreciated. -Bev

[@himanshubhardwaj9409]

Pls reply sir : flat head also treated with cranioplasty ????

[@gusjeazer]

Great, will definitely try later this evening! Thanks!

[@Brainbook]

Make sure you wash you hands first

[@user-kb1yo2ny8e]

wait are you serious

[@gusjeazer]

@@user-kb1yo2ny8e results were... disappointing the first try. Don't give up, you'll get the nack of it yet!

[@thegamingchicken9613]

Did it work?

[@gusjeazer]

@@thegamingchicken9613 Well, it's not my fault if it wouldn't have worked quite right the first try. Everyone needs practice, you know how hard this stuff is?? This is literally brain surgery.

[@MortgageEasy]

Thanks to youtube I save so much money doing my own medical procedures.

The problem is if that Rototool on the toolbox could do do the same job...

[@SKoGoMoney]

@ My 1" holesaw/drill combo with a jigsaw worked great!

[@JPLangley_]

I did the ultra discount method by just using my jigsaw and sanitizing it with bar soap and laundry detergent.

[@filtered2824]

I did this to my brother and he is speechless! All he is doing is slurring his words!

[@pushpalatha1047]

@Ubi Playz u should not comment such a way ...if problem comes to u only u should know that pain.

[@pushpalatha1047]

All the best for your brother future soon

[@catlove111]

I don't know how you would do this if you're not a professional

[@kaitlynmilligan8712]

I did it to my gold fish! he’s in the toilet.

[@ranmeg3179]

Omg what?!

[@sucraloss]

Recently had a craniotomy for an emergency removal of an AVM on the right side of my brain, very cool to see how they did this, and pretty happy that anesthesia exists.

[@Brainbook]

Hope you're doing well now! Also happy that anaesthesia exists lol

[@sucraloss]

@@Brainbook Thank you! Slow recovery but they were able to resect the AVM without doing much damage so should recover fully after a few more weeks.

[@gregorymalchuk272]

@@sucraloss How are you doing now?

[@sucraloss]

@@gregorymalchuk272 Better thank you for asking! It was on my motor cortex so still loss of sensory function on left side, but motor function is fully recovered. Will be getting a follow-up MRI sometime in the coming weeks.

[@kathryncarter6143]

Like WAY happy anesthesia exists!

[@optionalcoast7478]

Thanks! This a great for beginners, I am gonna try to prank my freinds by swapping their brains.

[@donjuan2001]

I did this to my mate Wallace except I swapped his cebrospinal fluid with coca cola. Now he won't stop talking about the coke secret recipe and whenever we go out to eat and he sees someone drinking pepsi, he just goes catatonic until I carry him out of the restaurant.

[@optionalcoast7478]

@@donjuan2001 thats interesting i think i may exsperiment with flex seal as cerebral fluid. My theory is it will seal your mind and your will never forget anything.

[@Ctc21]

I love this thread ❤️

[@RealEngineering]

I will watch every single video you make if you keep up this kind of quality. Fascinating

[@Brainbook]

Thank you we'll certainly do our best!

[@thomas.02]

oh hello there didn't expect you here

[@spewdoodle2541]

For real

[@Ballerbros222]

Don’t forget to use the restroom and turn off your cell phone ringer beforehand as don’t want any distractions.

[@gg-ke1gp]

My boyfriend suffered bad head trauma from being hit by a car recently and had this done to relieve pressure and drain blood. Emotionally, it’s been very difficult, but I feel a weird sense of relief knowing exactly what has been done. Your calm voice and demeanor is a bonus!

[@dudewatevs56]

I'm so glad KZbin promoted this when it did, and I'm also sure my patient is glad too!

[@CasanovaFluff]

Awesome this should save me thousands of dollars in hospital bills now that I can do it myself

[@nlankammichael526]

😂😂😂😂

[@dmeads5663]

Thanks! I can’t wait to try this at home! ( *update* ) It worked, I still have the hole but I can now read minds.

[@ibrahim3690]

uh.. lol??

[@getagrip2652]

Yea same lol gonna try it on my brother

[@Fru1tpunch]

himo kadah XD._.

[@MohammedAyaanQureshi]

@@getagrip2652 😭😭😭😭😭🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😭😭🤣😭🤣😭😭😭🤣😭😭🤣😭🤣😭🤣🤣😭😭😭😭😭😭😄😭😄😄😭😭😄😭😄😭😄😄😭😭😭😄😄😭😄😭🤣😭🤣🤣😭🤣😭😭🤣😭😭🤣😄😭😭😭😄🤣😭😭😄😭😄😭😄😭🤣😄😭😭😭😭🤣😭🤣🤣😭😭😭🤣😭😭🤣🤣😭😭😭🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@KimHuys]

Still healing from stage 4 brain tumor removal in March. Alive ... thanks to a Fantastic Surgeon who saved my life. 💖 Thank you Surgeon Alexander

[@renee9113]

I’m from New Zealand and due to go in for craniotomy surgery in 6 days. I wanted to watch your video to get an insight on what will be done. Thank you for sharing I am nervous but need the surgery to remove the tumour. I am worried about the after pain and hope I’ll be ok, as they also have to go in the side flap as well because the tumour is behind my nose, between my eyes pushing up underneath my brain. I’ve had excruciating headaches migraines and nausea for around 15 years and I’m only 44. Please say a prayer for me I have a young family and I want to live❤️

[@nancymanly2904]

Hope everything went well with your surgery. Pain was my first concern when I was told I needed surgery to remove my tumor. I had a little headache on day two of recovery. It was treated with Tylenol. It was nothing like the headaches I had been having though. Not even the incision bothered me. I hope you had a similar experience and a smooth recovery.

[@blossomdesquitado8508]

Hope your surgery went well. My sister had craniotomy 4 days ago that's why I stumbled on this video 'coz I wanted to know about the procedure done. Prayers that all will have a smooth recovery.

[@kayleerabideau4128]

I’m 17, I had this surgery three months ago to remove a pineal tumor and I was curious as to what it looked like, lol glad I waited until after to watch this 😂

[@Brainbook]

Gosh yes. I did a large trauma craniotomy here just so it was easy to see. They're not all that big!

[@katharineshade9550]

@@Brainbook For what type of surgeries would you need access to so much of the brain? I would assume that the more of the skull you remove, the higher the risk of complications, eg infection. I know that sometimes part of the skull stays off until swelling goes down. Could you do that with such a large amount like this? Can't imagine how it would feel going from practising like this to operating on a real live person...

[@nomas8597]

Too bad I’m seeing this just two days before going in for brain surgery. Thank God for anesthesia

[@alenjoju2661]

@@nomas8597 how did it go?

[@marycase7244]

Thanks for this video. I had craniotomy done six weeks ago to remove a tumor (meningioma) and I am glad to have a visual of what was done to me. Titanium mesh was used to to cover up the resulting “hole” in my skull before my scalp was stapled back together. The surgery was successful and I am just amazed at what my neurosurgeon and his team did to save me. Kudos to all neurosurgeons and everyone in the medical field!

[@nelsonmoturi6177]

Hey, I hope you are doing fine which part of your body did the tumor affect?

[@marycase7244]

@@nelsonmoturi6177 It was mostly neurological effects such as mild seizure, memory loss and disorientation. Based on where the tumor was located, my neurosurgeon feared my speech, arm and facial muscles would be affected but fortunately, I pretty much came through unscathed. I thank God everyday for a miraculous recovery! Plus, I am forever indebted to a fantastic neurosurgeon!

[@fayeart5277]

I too, had a crainie to repair two large aneurysms. Not an easy surgery but, life saving for sure. Glad thing's worked out for you. Stay strong 👍

[@fayeart5277]

Neurosurgeons have the heart of lion, eyes of a eagle and hands of a lady!

[@marycase7244]

@@nelsonmoturi6177 I started having seizures, that’s why I had to do brain surgery to remove the tumor (in June 2022). Two weeks ago I did a follow up MRI and my brain is back to normal and I have no after-effects from the surgery. Praise to God and my neurosurgeon and his wonderful team!👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@HiReckz]

I love you, thank you for being so smart and having the patience and courage to be able to do this. Thank you for all the lives you've saved . Like wow

[@al-enezi6074]

Crazy how science has advanced bless you doctor

[@Lifesapavementrave]

I can't thank you enough for doing this channel. I'm going through the work up for a craniotomy to remove a DNET and having an SEEG in Jan. It's so helpful to normalise the whole thing by seeing the mechanics of aspects of brain surgery.

[@chriszonts7386]

Just found out that my girlfriend has a brain tumor and is going to get this surgery. You neurozurgeons are incredible and I have full confidence that she'll have a smooth recovery

[@tomguglielmo]

A month ago I had a parasagittal meningioma removed from my head and required a craniotomy. Thankful for the skill and care of my surgeon, Dr Cameron Brennan, at MSKCC. In on a Friday morning, out walking under my own steam on Saturday afternoon. Back to normal so far, a month later and feeling lucky and thankful for the skill of you guys. And now my new head wants to know what happened to it. Thanks so much for the clarity of your explanation.

[@TonyWeaving]

I had a craniotomy in 1970 at Southampton General Hospital Wessex Neurological Unit aged 7 years old. By Mr. Jason Bryce. In March this year I became 60 years old. Mr Bryce I'd no longer with us but I thank him and his team and am grateful for just what they did for me all those years ago.

[@qurandawahlive]

My husband just had this done to him. I had no idea to the extent of this.. thank you for sharing this. I can't feel anything anymore knowing he had to go through this.

[@amelieryder]

Thank you for the videos on craniotomy including the awake surgery etc, super informative! I recently had a brain tumour removed with awake craniotomy and I’ve been so curious about all the details surrounding the procedure. These are among the best videos I’ve seen. Great work all of you!

[@dimitrisstriftompolas9738]

Now i can do my own craniotomy! Thanks very much doc!

[@sameeramadhusanka2817]

I am working for hospital as biomedical technologist. We are going to implement craniotomy surgeries. So this video was very helpful for me to understand the procedure. Thank you so much.

[@georgestratidis6983]

i am literally smelling tooth trim from a tooth surgery years ago. Jus by the sound of that drill

[@Brainbook]

Your limbic system is in over drive

[@jsthecanuck6804]

Great video! i was always having difficulty with this before

[@KandeShack]

My Son had an ear to ear craniotomy when he was 12. He contracted Group A Strep that went up to his brain. When we got the itemized bill it said things like Black & Decker Drill, drill bit etc..I’m thinking they went shopping at Home Depot before surgery! He’s 29 now and a Pilot for Delta Airlines🙏🏻

[@MsSteven199506]

Hola , porque le hicieron creneoctomia de oreja a oreja ? Que enfermedad tenía?

[@jarlesleglerg9064]

Is this like 5 minute crafts DIY?

[@donjuan2001]

No, one of those craft channels would find a way to construct some contrived and unnecessary gadget with the skull - like a cranial plate with glitter and rhinestones glued on it meant to be a decorative dish for eating nuts out of

[@carolynwestlake7670]

😂😂😂🤣

[@literalantifaterrorist4673]

This is awesome! I'm an 8th grader aspiring to do neurosurgery, and I've always been most interested in craniotomy operations.

[@Brainbook]

Glad you like it!

[@sunnyiee_03]

Thanks for the tutorial, definitely will be trying it out!!

[@wyomingadventures]

Had one for a ruptured brain aneurysm 16 years ago. Had a great neurosurgeon. Dr. Narotzky.

[@sofiarusso3038]

Your channel is very informative.Thank you for what you are doing. Amazing.

[@johnhamilton2680]

Great stuff. Wish you the best.

[@venkatk1414]

My wife underwent this major surgery and thanks to the surgeon for doing a splendid job!

[@PaddyAztec]

Man, your videos inspire me to go to medical school and become a neurosurgeon! Much respect from Dublin, Ireland

[@Brainbook]

Good luck to you!

[@MarleyOnThaBluff]

update on the joruney?

[@MrJoaoAfonso]

Tks for the tutorial I will try in my friends.

[@kenmarsh]

You are amazing my friend! God bless!

[@themarkktv]

Every time KZbin recomends me a tutorial it becomes useful about a week later. I'll be ready.

[@foofighter0724]

Awesome video! I love seeing your perspective as a neurosurgeon on patient care. As a medical student currently, I am very interested in neurology so your channel has been very educational for me. This may be a silly question, but I am curious: how popular is cranial osteopathy in your area? Do you have many patients that ask you questions about it? How do you address the concept of cranial osteopathy if so? I attend an osteopathic medical school in the U.S. which means we get BOTH conventional medical training and learn some alternative medical therapies (some of which are really just PT, and others which are unique to osteopathy like craniosacral therapies and Chapman's points etc.). Craniosacral therapy just seems like one of the holdovers of a bygone era which has yet to be left to the history books because it is already a difficult to falsify concept for many gungho practitioners. I personally think this is because practitioners tend to constantly shift the goalposts regarding the degree of movement that the cranial bones can undergo (which is basically negligible in MOST of the population past childhood given the fact that the bones fuse over time). The only utility I can manage to gather from it is likely to be psychological, and perhaps a good way to relieve some aches. However, I have heard many more dubious claims about its utility from treating tinnitus to strep throat. Even cancer is an indication for some of the most extreme advocates, athlough that is definitely not a claim that has been made by professors at my school.

[@ARTubeArt]

Doctors are great. Respect them🙏

[@KatherineAnnabella]

Fascinating. Who knew they used “home construction tools “ in neurology? WOW.

[@thegentleman1541]

What a great DIY project.

[@vingarzanandrei926]

Nice stuff! Keep it up doc 👍

[@ChristianPerez-xd8zq]

Very good technique. Thank you for this, very educational indeed. These are great notes!

[@Brainbook]

It's a pleasure Christian

[@kuldeeprawat7427]

Nice.. good job... Keep posting

[@jojohnson215]

I had my first craniotomy in '05 (emergency) to repair a ruptured AVM that caused a stroke and near complete loss of usage of my left side. Like I said that was done in an emergency situation and the bone "flap" never felt like it set correctly, I couldn't sleep on the right side of my head because the hardware used to originally hold the skull in place felt as if they were digging into my scalp from the inside. I failed to mention the damage from the bleed and surgery caused epilepsy that progressively had gotten worse between '15 & '18, so after many EEGs and other testing, my team of doctors at MUSC in Charleston, SC, (IMHO The best in the world) put together a plan of action for me which involved a craniotomy to place several grids for mapping of my brain to hopefully pinpoint the area with the most seizure causing activity that could be removed without causing further fine motor or general movement problems on my left side. After excruciating hours of mapping and a few seizures caused by the minute electrical current during mapping, I'm very happy to report the procedure was a SUCCESS!!! I still have a few small episodes and auras occasionally but nothing like the falling out Grand Mals (where I'd come to missing large portions of my day and feeling as if I had fought 50 men and lost 49 & a half of the fights) I had before. I say all of this to ask you is it normal for craniotomy scars to "deepen" or feel deeper as time goes on? I came home from this last round at the beginning of February and the main hemisphere scar felt almost smooth at the time, now feeling it with my fingers it feels rather deep? My surgeon also "cleaned" up and reused the original flap or opening with the gawdy hardware from '05. Like the other, when I came home it was as close to smooth as it could be considering 2 weeks prior it had been sliced up. Now it feels deeper too. I don't go see him for another 3 months. I'm not in any pain or anything like that, my best guess would be scar tissue and I know it's hard for you to know without an examination, but I just found your channel and I wanted to give it a shot and tell my story. Thank you so much Doctor for what you do. If it weren't for men and women life you, I'd be stuck shoveling pills down my throat that may or may not work. Thank you for using your God-given talents to help people. Sorry for my long comment. God bless!

[@KTdoesItBetta]

Joshua Johnson MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU!!!

[@jojohnson215]

@@KTdoesItBetta He has blessed me with more than I deserve, every breath I take is a blessing I don't deserve. But I am forever grateful to my God for His mercy and grace. Thank you for the kind words, God bless.

[@hollyhocks7360]

Fascinating thanks.

[@javiboscaino]

Absolutely inspiration. US MS1, thank you!

[@issavibe2419]

This is honestly an art from so so cool

[@aurelionight]

I'd (most likely) never need any of the knowledge inside of this video, but it's still REALLY cool that the internet allows for this sort of content.

[@josephdwyer1372]

Fascinating video! I had a craniotomy performed on me in 2012 to allow my brain to swell after a T.B.I. Obviously I’m very grateful for the expert surgery that no doubt saved my life. I’ve also made a great recovery and have been able to lead a normal life since. ( I have lost my sense of smell as a result of the injury, but being a plumber and having changed nappies for a good few years afterwards I can see the benefit of my disability 😅. My question to you is, for what possible reasons was my original bone flap not put back after the brain swelling had reduced? I was left with no bone flap for around 8 months before I was measured up for a plate, which was then fitted.

[@bennieokoli1999]

Thanks for uploading this video,I for one loved it because I just underwent the procedure some couple months ago and I had always wanted to know what really happened to me while I laid on that surgical bed really doctors are life savers but I have one question though , why did I end up with a stroke and now I'm paralyzed on one side and also I feel my level of thinking/problem solving decreased but I'm glad to be alive.

[@sbeverunner6083]

Cheers! Will try on my friends tomorrow

[@daveteves]

Can I try this on my own skull? i have a mirrored ceiling so there shouldnt be a problem.

[@Brainbook]

Why do you have a mirrored ceiling is the main question

[@nydajackmccoy]

@@Brainbook Because the untamed madness of the 70's and 80's is impossible to escape.

[@ottocampos5116]

Very good. Thanks

[@dionnemcinnes5274]

Had a right tempral Lobectomy via a craniotomy!! Thanks for the informative video!!! I've been "wondering" for 5 years 🤔

[@atomixfang]

Cant wait to try this tomorrow on my brother!

[@virginiafry9854]

In my day we used a good old fashioned bit and brace plus a burr, and the saw was a wire string called a Gillet’s saw!

[@Anna-uj1in]

thanks! I'll try this!

[@mysticlgd4247]

Useful tutorial

[@margaretthatcher8246]

Great I needed to know this.

[@kevinmoore2501]

Great vid. I’ve had a successful craniotomy, craniectomy, and several other procedures to help treat brain cancer, and it’s complications. I appreciate how you show how everything’s done. Just a little foreground to my situation, my tumor is located just superior to my brain stem. It’s luckily not cancerous in the sense that it won’t spread, but, it has recurred a couple times. Liked, and favorited this vid. Thanks for posting.

[@infinitechaoss]

Hey Kevin my name is Cesar. Will that be a Cranialpharyngioma?

[@M4Production]

Good to see how the tech has evolved into something way less scary.

[@sydneymcinnis1556]

Oh my god lol the ad I got at the start of this video was for can openers where they were quite literally showing the top of the can being popped off... Ironic? lol

[@juliagodwin7194]

coincidence? i think not.

[@saarahtalha172]

Incredible!!!

[@oldwave6106]

Recently had a middle foscia craniotomy and am fascinated with the procedure.

[@Brainbook]

Hope you're doing well!

[@unlimitedGK-om8bs]

Thank you doctor

[@kevinmoore2501]

Great video, Doc. I’ve had one of these, as well as a craniectomy for brain cancer back in 2011. Could you make a video about that?

[@ton2x3m]

So this is how my neurosurgeon pry open my head 3 weeks ago. Amazing.

[@HardikKundalwal]

Are you fully recovered

[@ton2x3m]

@@HardikKundalwal not yet, doing 30 sessions of radiotherapy now

[@mhuten]

Im not even a doctor. But its still fun to watch theese videos.

[@charlesvincentporteza722]

Thanks doc for the wonderful video about the craniotomy it is very detailed and very inspiring for people who dream to be a neurosurgeon

[@Brainbook]

It's a pleasure!

[@manolin.6597]

Great video. Had been wondering while watching other vids how surgeons made sure not to touch the brain when drilling. Now I know! Thanks a lot :)

[@shalipm1907]

Wen the cranium can b replaced? How effective the surgery will be and wr the part of brain will b kept? Pls reply

[@Mickey-vn2fz]

Thank you Doctor for this video. I am a craniotomy survivor, now I know why I have so many holes on my head. 😅

[@Mohajer-jt5tk]

Thank you so much ❤️

[@ibisowest2556]

Thank you you just solved a mystery for me

[@karthikajith2831]

Amazing blog.

[@Brainbook]

Thank you Karthik

[@stevejodoin9937]

Loved it.

[@ferna2294]

Thank you so much. I will try it with my mother.

[@thecrazygirls6655]

Thanks about to do my first patient in a few minutes

[@abangaFel]

Thanks man for a person who's being a patient and done this surgery I'm not curious anymore Sorry for my bad england

[@gusemery5475]

This is awesome.. I’m a bricklayer looking for a change into neurosurgeon should be good!

[@sagesy9774]

I think im ready to do it now

[@lionheartmilitary4845]

Nice job

[@SolidCraft321]

Hello, I've got a question, How do you remove the bone dust from the surface of the cerebrum ? (I guess you don't just blow on it 😝)

[@leorio7416]

Good qst, following.

[@miikaylaaa]

suction maybe

[@phucky0o]

Wash and suction!

[@sbeverunner6083]

DustInTheWind Flushing with saline and then suction

[@ChristianPerez-xd8zq]

Just like your eyes cry when you get dust in them. The cerebrum will act upon in a similar way. Its preferably better to leave the bone dust on the surface than to try to clean it up.

[@KashR6]

I have enhanced my motor skills with this

[@dinamegahed5875]

WOW! Thank you.

[@lilcurry1813]

Thanks for sharing this I’m glad you shared with us because this really help us understand!😂

[@Zombienekers]

Why am i watching this at 3 am in my bed?

[@annalanni5713]

I love your videos. I am about to get my nursing school degree and my goal is to become a neurosurgery scrub nurse. Love these videos!

[@Brainbook]

Thanks so much Anna and good luck to you!

[@tamekkaknuth9612]

My favorite field. My happy peaceful place!!

[@geethasajeevan6338]

Thank you i see this video it is very important to me

[@TheZeroChemical]

Amazing video! Could you talk a little bit more about what specifically prevents the burr hole drill from diving into the underlying brain tissue (when you are first drilling the burr holes)? When you are drilling and find yourself suddenly near the brain tissue, do you feel some sort of resistance on the drill (which prevents the drill from harming tissue)? Secondly, do you use a stereotactic frame to 1.) stabilize your hand, and 2.) get the correct coordinate for the burr hole, or does this not matter (thereby allowing you to simply free-hand it)? Keep up the awesome videos! Cheers from California.

[@Brainbook]

From what I understand, when you apply resistance to the cutting edge of the drill, it engages a clutch mechanism. When the resistance disappears (cut all the way through the bone) the clutch disengaged from the drill bit so you can still any further. We don't use any frame but drill free hand just like on the video. On the whole the clutch mechanism is extremely safe, but you can never be too sure which is why I describe some the simple fail-safe techniques that we employ, like bracing with two hands instead of just one. Glad you like the videos!

[@bc5441]

Fascinating to watch, thank you! I had a craniotomy decades ago and I’m sure things were done somewhat differently. How long has the cranial tome been in use? It appears to cut so fast!

[@rojorailfan]

Thank you for this great tutorial I think I’m going to try it on my grandma right now

[@billiejeanslover8929]

On my way to watch this even if I will never be a surgeon. Might be useful for sleepovers tough

[@NO-fh8wm]

Be my mentor please. Absolute calm, kind, intelligent, insightful and clear.

[@popcornINmyLUNGS]

thanks man!

[@hipparchos]

I had two craniotomies some 20 years ago due to chronic subdural heamatoma. My surgeon would measure the skull thickness in the cat-scan in order to determine how deep to drill. Is this an old technique before the modern drills' auto stop function?

[@KTdoesItBetta]

My fiancé had something similar to this in January. He had a massive stroke right before his birthday 😢 They took off half of his skull to relieve the pressure/swelling of his brain. Thankfully over the months, he’s had a tremendous recovery. Today, he goes back to get the skull piece replaced. We are so nervous. Do you have a video showing how to replace the skull ? Will he have headaches during stormy weather? Great video!

[@Brainbook]

I'm very sorry to hear that. We're currently editing a video of a cranioplasty procedure. Keep your eyes peeled!