Craniotomy Instruments

Of all the available medical procedures a person can undergo, craniotomy is one of the most serious. Craniotomy refers to any surgical procedure that involves opening or removing part of the skull, or cranium. Craniotomies may be performed to allow access to brain tissue underneath, for neurological surgery.

Skull Clamp

• The skull clamp, also called a Mayfield clamp, is a metal device that holds the head stationary so doctors can operate. The clamp attaches to the surgical table and has a three-point clamp that fastens down on the skull. One pin is positioned against the forehead, and the other two support the back of the skull.

Scalpels and Scissors

• Scalpels are necessary to incise the skin over the cranium itself. Scalpels are extremely sharp blades, usually made of steel, titanium or some other hard metal. Neurosurgeons may also use sharp surgical scissors to make small incisions in the skin or to cut bandages and other surgical materials.

Drill

• A high-powered drill called a craniotome is necessary to penetrate the hard bone of the skull. The drill may be small and handheld (like a household electric drill) but is specially engineered for surgical purposes. Craniotomies usually involve the drilling of a "burr hole," from which doctors can extract a "bone flap" to get to the brain itself.

Other Instruments

• Craniotomies require the use of intravenous lines to inject medicine and remove fluids, including spinal fluid. A Foley catheter may be used to remove urine from the patient. An ICP (intracranial pressure monitor) serves to keep track of pressure and swelling in the brain during surgery. An EVD (external ventricular drain) is used to remove cranial fluid to relieve pressure.