The Skull Base and Spine Surgery Procedure is a complex and highly specialised intervention used to treat disorders affecting the base of the skull and spinal column. This area contains critical nerves, blood vessels, and brain structures. Conditions that arise here often require intricate surgical management. Spine Surgery refers to a variety of procedures performed on the spinal column to cure injuries, fix abnormalities, and relieve pain.
At Manipal Hospitals, Skull Base & Spine Surgery Procedure in Siliguri is handled by a multidisciplinary team from the Department of Neurosurgery. Specialists from Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Neuroradiology, Anaesthesiology, Rehabilitation, and dedicated nursing teams support this procedure. The hospital uses advanced technology, including Minimally Invasive Endoscopy, Intraoperative Imaging, Fluorescence-Guided Surgery, and Augmented & Virtual Reality to enhance precision and safety throughout the procedure.
Who requires Skull Base and Spine Surgery?
The Skull Base & Spine Surgery Procedure in Siliguri is indicated for patients with both congenital and acquired conditions.
Skull Base Conditions: Pituitary Tumours, Meningiomas, Chordomas, Craniopharyngiomas, Trigeminal Neuralgia, Craniosynostosis, CSF Fistulas, or Cerebral Aneurysms.
Spine Conditions: Herniated Discs, Spinal Stenosis, Spondylolisthesis, Spinal Tumours, or Trauma.
Preparing for the Skull Base and Spine Surgery.
Before undergoing the Skull Base Surgery and Neurosurgical Spine Care in Siliguri, patients will have an extensive preoperative workup. This includes:
Imaging Studies such as MRI, CT, MRA, or PET to visualise growths or abnormalities.
Biopsy, often performed endoscopically, to confirm the diagnosis.
Neurological and Hormonal Assessments, to evaluate cranial nerve function, muscle control, hormone levels, and balance.
Preoperative Evaluation by the surgery and anesthesia teams.
What to Expect During the Skull Base and Spine Surgery?
Any of the following approaches can be used depending on the case.
Skull Base Surgery performed Endoscopically or Minimally Invasively:
A surgeon can make a small opening inside the nose, known as a keyhole.
A neurosurgeon can then remove a growth using an endoscope (a narrow illuminated tube).
While the surgeons are operating, a radiology specialist may do an intraoperative MRI.
This helps the surgical team ensure that the entire growth has been removed.
Traditional or Open Skull Base Surgery:
It may involve facial and skull incisions.
Parts of the bone may need to be removed to provide access to and remove the growth.
It is generally performed under a microscope in the operating room.
Spine Surgery:
It may involve decompression, stabilisation with implants, or correction of deformities.
It includes procedures like Laminectomy, Foraminotomy, Discectomy, Spinal Fusion, and Disk Replacement.
Minimally invasive methods may shorten recovery and reduce complications.
Robotic navigation and fluoroscopic guidance support precise hardware placement when needed.
What to Expect After the Skull Base and Spine Surgery?
After the Skull Base & Spine Surgery Procedure in Siliguri, patients are closely monitored in a high-dependency or ICU setting. Key aspects of postoperative care include:
Pain Management, using oral medications, intravenous analgesics, and regional nerve blocks.
Neurological Monitoring, to track cranial nerve and brain function.
Rehabilitation, including physical therapy to enhance mobility and minimise complications.
Imaging follow-up, to ensure complete removal of the lesion and assess recovery progress.
Risks and Potential Complications of Skull Base and Spine Surgery.
As with any major neurosurgical procedure, there are potential risks:
Bleeding or infection
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF leakage).
Neurological deficits depend on the tumour location.
Vision or hearing disturbances.
Delayed wound healing.
Spinal instability or residual pain (for spine surgeries).
Careful planning, the use of technology, and multidisciplinary surgical oversight mitigate these risks. With Neurosurgical Spine Care in Siliguri under Manipal Hospital’s team, outcomes are continually improved by early intervention and advanced intraoperative techniques.