What are the advantages and benefits of Gamma Knife Radiosurgery compared to conventional brain surgery?
Reduced Health Risks Because the Gamma Knife requires no incisions and in most cases requires only local anesthesia, many of the risks associated with conventional surgery (infections, hemorrhage, spinal fluid leakage, adverse reaction to general anesthesia and death) are virtually eliminated. Shorter Hospitalization Gamma Knife treatment is accomplished within a brief time frame. The usual hospital stay for Gamma Knife treatment is one night, usually with no associated convalescence period. Most patients resume their normal activities upon hospital discharge. Cost effectiveness The relatively low cost of the Gamma Knife procedure (as compared to traditional craniotomy and surgical resection), shorter hospitalization period, and elimination of hidden costs (no convalescence, rehabilitation or extended job absence), combine to make this a very cost-effective treatment option. Patient comfort Patients experience only the mild discomfort of local anesthetic injection during application of
