Laser surgery, formally known as laser ablation surgery, is a minimally invasive technique that can treat brain tumors. Laser surgery's approach reduces the risks of surgical complications while being precise in targeting tumors. If you are interested in details about brain tumor treatments, learn how laser surgery stacks up against open brain craniotomy or traditional brain surgery.

A Comprehensive Guide to Laser Surgery for Brain Tumors

Benefits of laser surgery as an alternative to traditional surgery

Neurosurgeons often suggest performing this procedure before deciding on the more invasive open-brain craniotomy. This is because laser ablation surgery offers many benefits over traditional surgery. A few benefits of this procedure include:

• Treatment precision
• Reduced hospital stays (usually one night in the recovery unit)
• No ionizing radiation
• Quick healing times
• Minimal to no discomfort during the procedure
• No interference with other treatment options
• Reduced blood loss
• It only requires one or two stitches

Ideal candidates for laser surgery

It is important to understand that a brain tumor does not automatically mean it is cancerous. Therefore, if a patient has a benign tumor or lesions that are causing seizures deep inside the brain where traditional surgery will prove ineffective, they are an ideal candidate for laser ablation surgery. They will also need to try multiple forms of treatment to rid themselves of the tumors or disease that causes tumors, such as tuberous sclerosis before being approved for this procedure. If, after reviewing the patient's full medical history and alternative treatments have failed to remedy the patient's condition permanently, the neurosurgeon will approve the patient for laser surgery.

How does laser surgery target brain tumors?

Laser surgery is a relatively new approach to treating brain tumors compared to traditional brain surgery. Still, it has shown great promise since its start in 1983. Many neurosurgeons conduct laser surgery to shrink or remove brain tumors altogether.

During the procedure, the neurosurgeon uses a specialized and highly precise laser to ablate (destroy) the tumor's tissue. The laser beam is focused on the tumor through a small opening in the skull, called a burr hole, which is nowhere near the size used during traditional brain surgery. Once the tumor is in view, the laser beam heats the tissue, causing it to vaporize and become an immobile particle that can either be safely removed or absorbed by the body.

The neurosurgeon performs under the guidance of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or a computed tomography (CT) scan. The purpose is to help the neurosurgeon clearly visualize the tumor and surrounding healthy tissue, increasing the precision of safe tumor removal without damaging nearby tissue or structures.

Reduce the chances of needing invasive surgery

Hearing that your child has a brain tumor, benign or cancerous, can be understandably nerve-wracking. However, with laser surgery, treatment does not have to be difficult or daunting. If your child was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor or is experiencing epileptic seizures with no apparent cause, contact our office today and schedule a consultation.

Request an appointment here: https://www.drloudonpediatricneurosurgery.com or call Dr. William G. Loudon, Pediatric Neurosurgery at (714) 677-9463 for an appointment in our Orange office.

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