Awake craniotomy is a dramatic and difficult procedure for both surgeon and patient. After putting the patient to sleep, neurosurgeons remove a portion of the skull to expose the brain -- and then wake the patient to continue the procedure. This unique tumor removal surgery allows neurosurgeons to interact with the patient during the procedure to reduce damage to healthy brain tissue.
For more information about awake craniotomy, visit: http://www.barnesjewish.org/neurosciences/awake-craniotomy