Definition

1. Noun:
   • A surgical opening through the skull: A craniotomy is a surgical procedure in which a bone flap is temporarily removed from the skull to access the brain. It is performed for various medical reasons, such as to remove a tumor, treat a brain hemorrhage, relieve pressure, or implant medical devices.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The neurosurgeon performed a craniotomy to remove the patient's brain tumor.
  • A craniotomy is a major operation that requires careful planning and precision.
  • Following the craniotomy, the bone flap was secured back in place.

Advanced Usage

• "to undergo a craniotomy": to have this surgical procedure performed on oneself.
  • The patient had to undergo an emergency craniotomy after the accident.
• "craniotomy site": the specific area on the skull where the surgical opening was made.
  • The nurses monitored the craniotomy site for any signs of infection.

Variants and Related Words

• Craniectomy (n): A related surgical procedure involving the removal of a portion of the skull, which may not be immediately replaced.
• Cranioplasty (n): A surgical repair of a defect or deformity of the skull, often performed after a craniectomy.

Synonyms

• Skull surgery: A general term for surgical procedures involving the skull.
• Trepanation / Trephination (n): An ancient form of surgery involving drilling or scraping a hole into the skull; a historical precursor to the modern craniotomy.

Related Phrases

• Burr hole: A smaller hole drilled into the skull, often as a less invasive procedure than a full craniotomy.
  • The surgeon started by making a burr hole before proceeding with the full craniotomy.
• Bone flap: The section of skull bone that is removed and typically replaced during a craniotomy.
  • The bone flap was carefully stored in sterile solution during the brain surgery.

Noun

1. a surgical opening through the skull