Skull Base Surgery

minimum cost
₱ 0
maximum cost
₱ 0

Things you need to know

1.What is Skull Base Surgery ​?
2.Why do you need it?
3.Why cost vary in philippines?
4.Surgery cost range by city
5.Surgery Procedure
6.Recovery
7.Risk and complications
8.FAQ
9.Conclusion

What is Skull Base Surgery ?

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Why do you need Skull Base Surgery ?

Skull base surgery is indicated for:

  • Tumors:
    • Benign: Meningiomas, pituitary adenomas, acoustic neuromas (vestibular schwannomas), chordomas, craniopharyngiomas.
    • Malignant: Chondrosarcomas, metastatic tumors, or nasopharyngeal carcinomas.
  • Vascular lesions:
    • Aneurysms or arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) at the skull base.
  • Infections or cysts:
    • Epidermoid or dermoid cysts, mucoceles, or skull base osteomyelitis.
  • Trauma:
    • Fractures at the skull base causing CSF leaks or cranial nerve damage.
  • Congenital anomalies:
    • Encephaloceles (brain tissue herniation) or CSF leaks (e.g., spontaneous or traumatic).
  • Functional disorders (rare):
    • Severe trigeminal neuralgia requiring direct access.

The procedure aims to remove or treat the lesion while preserving neurological function, often requiring a multidisciplinary team (neurosurgeons, ENT surgeons, neuro-ophthalmologists).

Why Do Skull Base Surgery Costs Vary in Philippines?

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Skull Base Surgery Procedure

  • Before Surgery Evaluation:
    • Diagnosis:
      • MRI and CT scans: Map the lesion’s location, size, and relation to critical structures (e.g., optic nerve, carotid artery).
      • Angiography (for vascular lesions): Assesses blood vessel involvement.
      • Audiometry/vision tests: Baseline for hearing (acoustic neuroma) or vision (pituitary tumors).
      • Blood tests: Ensure fitness for surgery (e.g., coagulation, hemoglobin).
    • Medications: Steroids (e.g., dexamethasone) to reduce swelling; antibiotics if infection risk.
    • Consent: Risks, including CSF leak or cranial nerve deficits, are explained.
  • Surgical Techniques:
    • Open Skull Base Surgery:
      • Performed under general anesthesia, lasting 4–8 hours.
      • Approaches:
        • Anterior (e.g., for pituitary tumors, craniopharyngiomas):
          • Transcranial: A frontal craniotomy (incision at the hairline) accesses the lesion.
        • Lateral (e.g., for acoustic neuromas):
          • Retrosigmoid or translabyrinthine approach: A craniotomy behind the ear; sacrifices hearing in translabyrinthine (if tumor large).
        • Posterior (e.g., for chordomas):
          • Occipital craniotomy for midline lesions.
      • The lesion is removed using microsurgical tools; vascular control (e.g., clipping aneurysms) is prioritized.
      • Reconstruction: Bone flaps are replaced with titanium plates; grafts (e.g., fat, fascia) seal CSF leaks.
    • Endoscopic Endonasal Surgery:
      • Minimally invasive, lasting 3–6 hours.
      • Used for pituitary tumors, chordomas, or anterior skull base lesions.
      • The endoscope is inserted through the nasal cavity, accessing the skull base via the sphenoid sinus.
      • Tumor removal with micro-instruments; nasal packing for 1–2 days; skull base reconstruction with grafts (e.g., fat, mucosal flaps).
    • Intraoperative Tools:
      • Neuronavigation: GPS-like system for precision.
      • Microscope/endoscope: Enhances visualization.
      • Neuromonitoring: Tracks cranial nerve function (e.g., facial nerve in acoustic neuroma surgery).
  • After Surgery:
    • ICU monitoring for 1–3 days to watch for swelling, bleeding, or CSF leaks.
    • Hospital stay: 5–10 days; longer for open surgery or complications.
    • Pain management: Analgesics (e.g., paracetamol) for incision pain.
    • Nasal care (endoscopic): Avoid nose blowing for 2–4 weeks; saline rinses.
    • Follow-up MRI/CT: At 1–3 months to assess resection and complications.

Recovery After Skull Base Surgery

  1. Hospital Stay: 5–10 days; longer (10–14 days) for open surgery or complications.
  2. Post-Surgery Care:
    • Pain: Incision discomfort for 1–2 weeks (open); nasal congestion (endoscopic) for 1–2 months.
    • Activity: Light walking on day 2–3; avoid heavy lifting or straining for 6–8 weeks.
    • Nasal care (endoscopic): No nose blowing for 2–4 weeks; saline rinses; crusting resolves in 1–2 months.
    • Neurological monitoring: For cranial nerve deficits (e.g., hearing, vision, facial movement); some improve over months.
    • Hormone monitoring (pituitary): Blood tests for cortisol, thyroid; temporary replacement (e.g., hydrocortisone) if needed.
  3. Diet: Normal diet; high-protein foods (e.g., eggs, lentils) support healing; 2–3 liters water daily.
  4. Follow-Up:
    • Visits at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 months; MRI/CT at 1–3 months.
    • Audiometry/vision tests (if affected); endocrinology follow-up (pituitary).

Most resume normal activities in 6–8 weeks (endoscopic) or 8–12 weeks (open). Success rates: Tumor resection (80–95% for benign, 60–80% for malignant); CSF leak repair (90–95%). Symptom relief varies by condition.

Risks and Complications

  • Surgical Risks: Bleeding (2–5%), infection (2–5%, e.g., meningitis), CSF leak (5–10%).
  • Neurological Complications:
    • Cranial nerve deficits (5–10%): Hearing loss (acoustic neuroma, 20–50% in translabyrinthine), vision loss (pituitary, 1–3%), facial weakness.
    • Brainstem injury (1–2%): Swallowing difficulty, balance issues.
  • Endoscopic-Specific: Nasal crusting (10–20%), loss of smell (5–10%), diabetes insipidus (pituitary, 5–10%).
  • General Risks: Anesthesia reactions, blood clots (DVT, 1–2%).
  • Long-Term: Tumor recurrence (10–20% over 10 years), chronic headache, pituitary dysfunction.

Report fever, severe headache, CSF leak (clear fluid from nose/ear), or neurological changes promptly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What causes skull base conditions?

Tumors (benign/malignant), vascular anomalies, trauma, infections, or congenital defects.

Is endoscopic surgery better than open surgery?

Endoscopic is less invasive, with faster recovery and no external scars, but open surgery may be needed for larger or complex lesions.

Will I lose hearing or vision?

Risk exists (5–10%); neuromonitoring minimizes this, but hearing loss is common in translabyrinthine approaches for acoustic neuroma.

How soon can I resume activities?

Light activities in 2–3 weeks, normal routines in 6–12 weeks.

Is skull base surgery covered by insurance in India?

Yes, for tumors, vascular lesions, or CSF leaks; confirm with your provider.

Signs of complications?

Fever, severe headache, clear fluid from nose/ear (CSF leak), or new neurological deficits.

Will the tumor come back?

10–20% risk over 10 years, higher for malignant tumors; regular MRI follow-up is needed.

Lifestyle changes post-surgery?

Avoid nose blowing (endoscopic) for 2–4 weeks, attend follow-ups, manage hormones (pituitary), and avoid heavy lifting for 6–8 weeks.

Conclusion

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Looking for Best Hospitals for Skull Base Surgery

Note: we are not promoting any hospitals

We do not promote any hospitals. All details are sourced from Google and hospital websites. Please verify independently. Start with your surgery—here’s the list of government, budget, and superspecialty hospitals accredited by the Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and Joint Commission International (JCI)

  • click on your city and schedule your surgery now done in good hands.
City Minimum Price (₱) Maximum Price (₱)
Angeles City
Antipolo
Bacolod
Bacoor
Baguio
Butuan
Cagayan de Oro
Caloocan
Cebu City
Dasmariñas
Davao City
General Santos
General Trias
Iligan
Iloilo City
Las Piñas
Makati
Malolos
Manila
Muntinlupa
Parañaque
Pasay
Pasig
Puerto Princesa
Quezon City
San Fernando
San Jose del Monte
Taguig
Valenzuela
Zamboanga City

Disclaimer

This information is sourced from open platforms and is for general awareness only. Costs may vary based on individual cases. Please consult a qualified doctor for medical advice and explore options within your budget before deciding on the procedure.

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