What is neurosurgery?

Neurosurgery is the surgical specialty concerned with the diagnosis and surgical treatment of disorders of the nervous system. The nervous system is divided into three main segments:

• The central nervous system (brain, spinal cord)
• The peripheral nervous system (nerves that flow from the central nervous system to the rest of the body) 
• The vegetative or autonomic nervous system that ensures the automatic functioning of organs (innervation of the intestine, heart muscle, etc.).

The field is particularly wide and neurosurgeons are frequently specialised in a particular type of neurosurgery, such as:

• Cranial neurosurgery
• Spinal neurosurgery
• Paediatric neurosurgery, etc.

What does a neurosurgeon do?

The neurosurgeon is part of a surgical team and works particularly closely with the anaesthetist. The neurosurgeon treats a wide range of disorders, ranging from herniated disks, Parkinson’s disease, hyperacusis, aneurysms/intracranial traumas, cerebral hematoma or spinal cord compression (sometimes the cause of chronic pain, e.g. lumbago, sciatica, etc.) to all tumours that can affect the nervous system.

Before operating, the surgeon will conduct a preoperative check-up to determine the type of surgery to be performed. After operating, they will undertake post-operative monitoring to confirm whether the operation was successful and to ensure the patient’s recovery.

When to see a neurosurgeon

The neurosurgeon works in coordination with other specialists such as neurologists or oncologists. Except in an emergency situation, it is usually the collective decision of the specialists monitoring the patient for a given condition that results in them being referred for a neurosurgical consultation.

What are the risks of neurosurgery?

Any surgical procedure can be risky, especially if performed under general anaesthesia. These risks can include haemorrhage, infection or the aftereffects of surgery (neurological sequelae, pain, etc.), and are directly related to the type of operation and the patient’s general health. The neurosurgeon must inform the patient of these risks during the preoperative check-up.