Open Brain Surgery with Chemotherapy for Malignant Glioma

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 6, 2025.

• Care notes
• Discharge
• Inpatient
• Precare
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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

Open brain surgery with chemotherapy for malignant glioma is surgery to treat a tumor in your brain.

HOW TO PREPARE:

The week before your surgery:

• Arrange to have someone drive you home after surgery.
• Tell your surgeon about all medicines you currently take. He or she will tell you if you need to stop any medicine for surgery, and when to stop. He or she will tell you which medicines to take or not take on the day of surgery.
• You may need blood tests or an EKG before your surgery. You may also need x-rays, a CT scan, or an MRI.

The night before your surgery:

You may be told not to eat or drink anything before midnight.

The day of your surgery:

• You or a close family member will be asked to sign a legal document called a consent form. It gives healthcare providers permission to do the procedure or surgery. It also explains the problems that may happen, and your choices. Make sure all your questions are answered before you sign this form.
• Take only the medicines your surgeon told you to take.
• Healthcare providers may insert an intravenous tube (IV) into your vein. A vein in the arm is usually chosen. You may be given liquids or medicine through the IV.
• An anesthesiologist will talk to you before your surgery. You may need medicine to keep you asleep or numb an area of your body during surgery. Tell healthcare providers if you or anyone in your family has had a problem with anesthesia in the past.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN:

What will happen:

Your surgeon will place your head in a clamp to hold it in position. He or she will make an incision in your scalp and remove a small piece of skull bone. The glioma will be removed, and chemotherapy medicine will be placed in the area where your glioma was. The piece of bone will be replaced. Your surgeon will close the incision with stitches or staples. A bandage may be placed over the incision.

After your surgery:

You will be taken to a room to rest until you are fully awake. You will be monitored closely for any problems. Do not get out of bed until your healthcare provider says it is okay. You will then be able to go home or be taken to your hospital room.

CONTACT YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IF:

• You have a fever.
• You get a cold or the flu.
• You have questions or concerns about your surgery.

Seek Care Immediately if

• You have a sudden severe headache.
• You suddenly cannot see, talk, or think clearly.
• You have a seizure.
• Your face is getting numb or you cannot move your arms or legs.

Risks

You may bleed more than expected or get an infection. Blood vessels or other healthy tissue may be damaged during surgery. Your tumor may not be completely removed. You may develop a life-threatening blood clot.

Drugs used to treat this and similar conditions

Care Agreement

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