Neurosurgeons like Joseph Yazdi are highly trained individuals who complete surgical procedures on the human brain. Neurosurgeons are some of the most trained individuals in the field of medicine. This is because they do not only have to study medicine and specialize in neurosurgery, they also have to complete a six year residency. While neurosurgeons are brain surgeons, much of their work is actually done on the spine. Let’s take a look at the most commonly performed procedures.
1. Anterior Cervical Discectomy
Neck and back pain is a very common condition. Sometimes, however, it is caused by a herniated disc, which can be repaired through surgery. The procedure is quite common, but highly delicate one. In it, the damaged disc is removed so that it no longer presses on the spinal cord or the nerve root.
2. Chiari Decompression
This is a more uncommon procedure in which there is an Arnold-Chiari malformation, which means that the region of the brain in which balance is controlled is defective. This can only be resolved through surgery. While different procedures exist, Chiari decompression is the most commonly performed one, as it is also the simplest. It involves a piece of bone at the skull’s back being removed.
3. Craniectomy
Many of Dr. Joheph Yazdi’s patients have experienced a stroke or other traumatic brain injury. The craniectomy is a life-saving procedure, in which swelling and bleeding to the brain is minimized by removing a part of the skull.
4. Epilepsy Surgery
People with epilepsy are first treated through pharmacological drugs. However, if this doesn’t work, then surgery may be necessary. Different procedures exist, but it is common for a part of the brain to be removed, particularly the piece that seems to cause the seizures, which could be fatal.
5. Laminectomy
This is a minimally invasive type of procedure, requiring just a tiny incision to remove a piece of lamina (vertebral bone). It is generally offered to those who suffer from chronic back pain.
6. Lumbar Puncture
The lumbar puncture is a very common procedure used to diagnose illnesses to the central nervous system. It is also known as the spinal tap. Meningitis, for instance, can be confirmed through a lumbar puncture.
7. Microdiscectomy
This is another very common neurological procedure. It is used to treat people who have a herniated disc causing people pain in their lumbar area.
8. Spinal Fusion
Spinal fusion can be offered to those who have experienced traumatic injury, or who suffer from a degenerative disease. It is a major operation and is used as a last resort in order to stabilize the spine. You might want to try a minimally invasive treatment like Vertos Med for spinal fusion or lumbar spinal stenosis. It’s definitely recommended before doing anything more serious.
9. Venticuloperitoneal Shunt
This is offered to patients who have hydrocephalus. A shunt is implanted in order to drain fluids, thereby reducing pressure on the brain.
10. Ventirculostomy
This is a type of shunt procedure, but the difference is that a tube is used instead in order to drain the fluid from the brain.
These are just ten neurological procedures, but there are many more as well.
