Right Frontal Lobe Surgery

[umcRN, BSN, RN]

I just have a simple question, not looking for medical advice per say but I don't think i'm going to get a chance to talk to my neurosurgeon until next week and I just wanted some info. I have recently been diagnosed with a right frontal lobe mass of sorts...they won't know what it is until able to take a look. I was wondering if someone could tell me how the right front lobe is typically accessed in surgery...a flap of skin and cut of bone? Or is it more likely the whole top of my skull is coming off? I know I can ask my nurses here (I am still inpatient) but I guess i'm still feeling in denile and nervous to make it more realistic Thought I would start here.

Thanks for listening and if anyone has ANY other advise to share as I go into this (probably having surgery next week) I will take it. While I have worked in pediatric and neonatal critical care for a little over 2 years now I have never experienced this side of the bed and I am pretty young (24) so this is all kind of a shock and happening pretty fast....I went to the neurologist thinking I had migraines and waited forever to go thinking I was just being silly...but the headaches WERE intense, now I know why! Wish I had gone sooner but what can you do?

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

I work in the OR, and it's amazing the technology they can use to find masses- pt has an MRI, MRI scan is loaded into special program, and a probe can be used to pinpoint exactly where the mass is before the surgeon even makes an incision, so they know where best to cut.

As for what kind of incision and how much bone, those are questions best left to the surgeon. It's dependent on a lot of things- where the mass is, how large it is, what kind of exposure they need. Most of the docs I work with find a way to at least hide the incision under the hair once it grows back in.

Best wishes for you and a speedy recovery.

[umcRN, BSN, RN]

Thanks for your input! I know amazing things are being done in surgery these days and I really hope I get to have a good sit down with the surgeon soon. So far I only met him this morning, at about 6 am, after having 2q neuro checks all night and being pretty delirious from lack of sleep and the long 48 hours I had prior. I really didnt get too many questions out at that time.

I am having a "Wand MRI" on Monday so hopefully I will get to sit down with him after that and really go through the details. He seemed pretty optimistic this morning that I would only need to be inpatient 2-3 days so that would be pretty awesome.

Again thanks for the advice! I am thinking good thoughts! :-)

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

We sincerely hope your surgery goes well. We would only be guessing as to the surgical approach.

Best (as you stated) to have a sit-down with your doc.