The brain is the master organ of our body that controls all body functions. If a person has an issue with the brain or nerves, they need to consult specialised doctors called neurosurgeons. Unlike their name, neurosurgeons are not just limited to surgeries; they are also experts in non-surgical treatments.

Let's learn more about neurosurgeons, their skills, specialities, and how to become one.

Who is a Neurosurgeon?

A neurosurgeon is a well-experienced medical professional who diagnoses and treats conditions related to the patient's brain and nervous system. They also offer neurological disorder treatments. Many patients confuse a neurosurgeon with a neurologist.

Here is the difference!

Both neurologists and neurosurgeons diagnose and treat conditions related to the brain, nerves, and spinal cord. However, only neurosurgeons can perform surgical procedures.

Moreover, a neurosurgeon can also perform non-surgical procedures. Before recommending neurosurgery to the patient, a neurosurgeon tends to perform all brain surgery types of procedures, spinal surgery techniques, such as steroid injections, physical therapies, and medications. These procedures are non-operative procedures.

What Does A Neurosurgeon Do?

As a medical professional, a neurosurgeon has several duties and responsibilities!

Patient consultation: Every neurosurgeon is bound to listen to their patients' issues and, after a comprehensive discussion, provide them with the right counselling.
Diagnosis and testing: Though a neurosurgeon tries to treat the condition with medications and therapies first, if necessary, they can also perform and analyse diagnostic tests on the patient. A neurosurgeon can perform several diagnostic tests on patients, including Computed Tomography scans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Positron Emission Tomography (PET), and Magnetoencephalography (MEG).

These techniques obtain 3D and highly detailed images of the brain and tissues. They are also used to map brain signals and evaluate metabolic function.

Performing medical procedures: As mentioned, a neurosurgeon also performs complex medical procedures, such as neurosurgeries, that can take hours to even a day.

Provide care to the patients: In addition to these duties, a neurosurgeon is also responsible for caring for the patients along with the team.

Neurosurgery Procedures Undertaken by A Neurosurgeon

With surgical equipment and diagnosis, a neurosurgeon can perform several surgeries.

Open surgery

This neurosurgery is done to treat traumatic injuries. Ideally performed in the case of emergencies, an open surgery includes opening the skull of the patient with specialised tools.

Endoscopic surgery

Surgeons use this procedure to treat internal issues of the brain, such as intracranial bleeding, tumours, fluid leaks, etc. In this procedure, a tube-like instrument is introduced into the skull by drilling a hole into it. Camera equipment is sent through the hole to obtain images and videos of the interior. The surgeon then operates on the condition with surgical equipment via another hole.

Microsurgery

In this surgery, the neurosurgeon uses a high-powered loupe magnification eyewear to handle several conditions, including carotid endarterectomy, aneurysms, microdiscectomy, and laminectomy.

Endovascular Surgery

Real-time X-ray images guide this surgery, which the neurosurgeon uses to treat several brain disorders. In this process, the inside of the femoral artery of the leg is accessed via surgical tools to fix issues like stroke, aneurysm, tumours, and AVM from the inside of the blood vessel.

Stereostatic Radiosurgery

This kind of Neurosurgery is primarily used to treat tumours or AVM and includes the use of a gamma knife and cyberknife system. The surgery also includes the use of targeted beams of radiation that help locate brain tumours accurately.

The surgery also includes the use of cameras and electromagnetic fields. Furthermore, it is used in combination with radiation therapy.

Besides these procedures, a neurosurgeon also specialises in other operational methods, including

Spinal Neurosurgery for spinal cord compression, spinal disc arthritis, and spondylosis.
Psychiatric Neurosurgery for treating psychiatric disorders.

How to Become a Neurosurgeon?

The nervous system of the human body is super complex and has millions of criticalities to it. Therefore, the path to becoming a professional to operate on it is also tough and long. There are several steps to becoming a successful neurosurgeon.

Pre-medical education of 4 years, aka a bachelor's degree.
Medical school degree of 4 years, which can be a Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathic Medicine.
General surgery internship of 1 year.
Post-graduate training or residency of 5 to 7 years in a neurosurgery program.

Candidates can also engage in a fellowship after their post-graduate training in a specific area of neurosurgery, such as spine or pediatric neurosurgery. It can take 14-16 years to become a neurosurgeon, including everything from pre-medical education to residency training.

Conclusion

Becoming a neurosurgeon can be challenging, but once you have completed all the levels, the results will be super fruitful. A neurosurgeon has many responsibilities in their job and with patients. Therefore, someone booking an appointment with a neurosurgeon must be clear about their health condition and symptoms. A neurosurgeon must ensure the patient is comfortable and shares everything without hiding anything.

Frequently Asked Questions about Neurosurgeons

Q. What is the most common surgery for a neurosurgeon?
A. The most common surgery that a neurosurgeon performs is the anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. It is surgery that rectifies a herniated disc.

Q. Are there any subspecialties of neurosurgeons?
A. Yes, apart from the primary surgeries, there are some specific surgeries that a neurosurgeon may choose to work on, such as Endoscopic cranial surgery, Pediatric neurosurgery, Spinal neurosurgery, Stereostatic neurosurgery, etc.

Q. How much time does neurosurgery take?
A. Neurosurgery can take anywhere between a few hours to a full day.

Q. What are some neurosurgery subspecialty fields?
A. Several fields, such as Epilepsy surgery, Pediatric neurosurgery, Functional neurosurgery, and more, allow the candidate to explore their choices.

Q. How many years does it take to become a neurosurgeon?
A. It takes around 14-16 years to become a neurosurgeon.