Open Cerebrovascular Surgery

Open cerebrovascular surgery is an operation performed through the skull to treat problems with blood vessels of the brain for diseases such as aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), dural arteriovenous fistulae or narrowed or blocked arteries.

Surgery is performed to:

  • Prevent or stop bleeding in the brain

  • Reduce the risk of stroke

  • To repair or remove abnormal blood vessels

  • To increase or improve brain blood flow

Surgery involves:

  • A general anaesthetic

  • A cut made in the scalp and skull to reach the brain

  • Repair or removal of the abnormal blood vessels

  • Replacement of the bone and scalp

Dr Andrew Gauden Melbourne Open Cerebrovascular Surgery

While the vast majority of procedures are safe, complications can include:

  • Stroke

  • Bleeding

  • Infection

  • Seizures

  • Neurological problems such as memory or speech disturbance or difficulty with movement or vision changes

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Recovery from surgery includes:

  • A hospital stay of several days, which may be extended depending on patient condition

  • Rehabilitation may be required with physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy

  • Tiredness, headaches or concentration problems may persist

  • Most people will make a recovery over weeks to months

  • There will be a need often for further follow-up scans to monitor treatment response

Dr Andrew Gauden Melbourne Open Cerebrovascular Surgery Recovery

For Referring Doctors

Get in touch.

Doctors are encouraged to call the rooms for urgent questions about patients. For all other requests and referrals, please email directly via this form.