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What it is: A VP shunt is a thin, flexible tube system, called a catheter, with a small control valve. It is surgically placed under the skin to divert excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the brain's fluid-filled cavities, or ventricles.

How it works: The catheter directs fluid into the abdominal cavity, or peritoneum, where the body can absorb it. The valve helps regulate drainage in response to pressure. This is intended to reduce excess fluid and pressure inside the skull and may help symptoms such as headaches, nausea, confusion, or balance difficulties. Shunt selection and placement vary according to the patient's needs; symptom improvement and pressure control are not guaranteed.

What it is: Burr-hole drainage uses small openings in the skull to access a blood collection. It may be considered for liquefied or chronic collections, such as a chronic subdural hematoma, when drainage is appropriate.

How it works: The surgeon creates one or more small, round openings through the skull so collected blood can be drained. Removing the collection is intended to reduce pressure on the brain. The number and location of openings and the drainage technique depend on the collection and the patient's treatment plan; this approach is not suitable for every bleed and does not guarantee relief or a particular recovery.

What it is: A craniotomy for hematoma evacuation involves temporarily removing a section of skull, called a bone flap, to access a blood collection. This approach may be used for larger, solid blood clots or acute bleeds when surgical removal is needed.

How it works: The opening gives the surgeon direct access to remove pooled blood and address active bleeding when possible. The procedure is intended to reduce pressure on the brain. The bone flap may be secured back in place, depending on the clinical situation. The extent of evacuation, bleeding control, and management of the bone flap are individualized rather than identical for every patient.

What it is: ACDF approaches the cervical spine through the front, or anterior, of the neck to remove a damaged or herniated disc pressing on the spinal cord or exiting nerve roots. It combines disc removal with fusion of the affected vertebrae.

How it works: The surgeon removes compressive disc material and may remove bone spurs. A spacer or graft may be placed in the disc space to support disc height, and a plate and screws may help hold the vertebrae steady while bone fusion develops over time. The procedure is intended to reduce nerve or spinal cord compression and may help arm pain, numbness, weakness, or balance problems related to cervical radiculopathy or myelopathy. The incision, graft, hardware, and technique vary; fusion and symptom improvement are not guaranteed.

What it is: Cervical arthroplasty is an artificial disc replacement procedure intended to preserve motion at a treated level in the neck. It may be an alternative to fusion for selected patients with cervical disc herniation or nerve compression.

How it works: Through an approach at the front of the neck, the surgeon removes the damaged disc and addresses nerve pressure. An artificial disc is placed in the disc space instead of intentionally fusing the adjacent bones. The implant is intended to support disc height and allow motion at the treated level. Device selection and technique depend on the patient's anatomy and condition; the procedure does not guarantee symptom relief, natural neck flexibility, or reduced stress on neighboring spinal levels.

What it is: Microdiscectomy is a targeted procedure to remove herniated or bulging disc material in the lower back, or lumbar spine, that is pressing on a spinal nerve root.

How it works: Through an incision in the lower back, the surgeon accesses the affected disc and removes the portion compressing the nerve, with the aim of preserving as much unaffected disc and bone as possible. Magnification or endoscopic techniques may be used; the approach and handling of the nerve vary with the individual case. Decompression is intended to address radiating leg pain, or sciatica, numbness, or weakness. Symptom relief and the pace of recovery vary and are not guaranteed.

What it is: Laminectomy is a decompression procedure intended to reduce pressure on the spinal cord or spinal nerves caused by spinal stenosis, which is narrowing of the spinal canal, or by bone spurs, also called osteophytes.

How it works: Through an approach along the back of the spine, the surgeon removes part or all of the lamina, the bony arch forming the back of the spinal canal. Thickened ligaments or bone spurs may also be removed. This creates more space for compressed nerves and may help leg heaviness, cramping, pain, or numbness with standing or walking. The amount of bone and tissue removed is individualized, and improvement is not assured.

What it is: Spinal fusion is intended to join and stabilize two or more vertebrae in the neck, mid-back, or lower back. It may be considered for instability associated with conditions such as spondylolisthesis, severe degenerative disc disease, or spinal trauma.

How it works: Bone graft material is placed between or along the affected vertebrae to encourage bone growth. Hardware such as rods, screws, or interbody cages may hold the bones in position while fusion develops. The goal is to support alignment and limit motion at the treated levels. The approach, graft, and hardware depend on the patient's condition; successful fusion, relief of pain, and correction of instability are not guaranteed.

What it is: Kyphoplasty is an image-guided procedure used for selected painful vertebral compression fractures, in which a spinal bone has collapsed. These fractures are commonly associated with osteoporosis or structural bone weakness.

How it works: Using X-ray guidance, the surgeon passes an instrument into the fractured vertebra. A balloon may be inflated to create a cavity and attempt to restore some of the lost vertebral height, then deflated and removed. Bone cement is placed in the cavity and hardens to help stabilize the fracture internally. The technique varies by case. Height restoration, pain relief, and rapid recovery are not guaranteed.

What it is: A craniotomy for tumor resection is an operation to access and remove or reduce a brain tumor, whether benign or malignant. A section of skull, called a bone flap, is removed to provide access to the treatment area.

How it works: The surgeon works through the opening to remove tumor tissue, balancing the extent of removal against the need to protect surrounding brain tissue and function. Microsurgical instruments and imaging or navigation guidance may be used as appropriate to the surgical plan. The bone flap may be reattached with fixation hardware after the tumor work. The approach, available guidance, extent of resection, and closure vary; complete removal and preservation of function cannot be guaranteed.

What it is: Stereotactic brain biopsy is a diagnostic procedure to collect a small tissue sample from a brain lesion or tumor. It may be considered when the target is deep within the brain or near sensitive areas.

How it works: MRI or CT images are used to plan a path to the target, and stereotactic guidance helps direct a narrow biopsy instrument through a small skull opening to obtain tissue. The sample is sent for pathology examination to help establish a diagnosis and guide treatment planning. The imaging, guidance method, and sampling technique vary by case. The procedure may obtain tissue without a larger open resection, but a definitive diagnosis is not guaranteed.

What it is: Carpal tunnel release is a procedure intended to reduce pressure on the median nerve as it passes through the wrist into the hand. It may be performed on an outpatient basis.

How it works: Compression beneath the transverse carpal ligament, which forms the roof of the tunnel, can cause pain, tingling, or numbness in the thumb, index, and middle fingers. The surgeon divides this ligament to increase space within the tunnel and reduce pressure on the nerve. The surgical approach varies according to the patient's needs. Sensation, strength, and symptoms may improve, but recovery of nerve function and prevention of lasting nerve damage are not guaranteed.

What it is: Cubital tunnel release and ulnar nerve neurolysis are procedures intended to relieve compression of the ulnar nerve at the elbow, near the area often called the funny bone. Compression may cause numbness, tingling, or weakness in the ring and little fingers and reduced grip strength.

How it works: Through an approach near the elbow, the surgeon releases tight tissue bands or ligaments around the nerve; this freeing of the nerve is called neurolysis. If the nerve is prone to slipping or irritation as the elbow bends, it may be moved to the front of the elbow, called ulnar nerve transposition. This is intended to reduce stretch or compression. Transposition is not necessary for every patient, and the technique and degree of symptom improvement vary.