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Updated: Mar 7, 2026
A Craniotomy Surgery Procedure for Chronic Brain Imaging
Published on: February 15, 2008
Patients' perspective on awake craniotomy for brain tumors-single center experience in Brazil
Rafael Teixeira Magalhaes Leal1, Clovis Orlando da Fonseca2, Jose Alberto Landeiro2
1Departamento de Neurocirurgia, Hospital Universitario Antonio Pedro, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rua Marques de Parana, 303, 3o andar, 24033-900, Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. rafael_tmleal@yahoo.com.br.
Background:
Awake craniotomy with brain mapping is the gold standard for eloquent tissue localization. Patients' tolerability and satisfaction have been shown to be high; however, it is a matter of debate whether these findings could be generalized, since patients across the globe have their own cultural backgrounds and may perceive and accept this procedure differently.
Methods:
We conducted a prospective qualitative study about the perception and tolerability of awake craniotomy in a population of consecutive brain tumor patients in Brazil between January 2013 and April 2015. Seventeen patients were interviewed using a semi-structured model with open-ended questions.
Results:
Patients' thoughts were grouped into five categories: (1) overall perception: no patient considered awake craniotomy a bad experience, and most understood the rationale behind it. They were positively surprised with the surgery; (2) memory: varied from nothing to the entire surgery; (3) negative sensations: in general, it was painless and comfortable. Remarks concerning discomfort on the operating table were made; (4) postoperative recovery: perception of the postoperative period was positive; (5) previous surgical experiences versus awake craniotomy: patients often preferred awake surgery over other surgery under general anesthesia, including craniotomies.
Conclusions:
Awake craniotomy for brain tumors was well tolerated and yielded high levels of satisfaction in a population of patients in Brazil. This technique should not be avoided under the pretext of compromising patients' well-being.
