Length of Surgery

[ColleenS]

I was wondering if anyone really knows why some surgeries last 3-5 hours and others wayyyy longer even 15 hours? I understand the larger the more time consuming - but some tumor lengths I am reading about are similar in size yet very different surgery times. I am going to a large unit and I was told it could be 8-12 hours. 

[alabamajane]

Hi Colleen.
You are going to a very highly respected hospital and doctors. I understand your concerns however.

There are many variables to consider during this surgery besides size of tumor such as the location and yours is pressing on the brain stem already, involvement of surrounding nerves, opening size, and others. Plus the MRI does not tell the doctor everything he needs to know before getting to the tumor so that is the unknown factor until he gets in there. Hence the variations in operating time. I'm sure there are other factors also.

I am confident you are in very capable hands.  But good question!
Jane

[ANSydney]

Colleen, that's a great question which I think the AN community should understand. From memory, one of the neurosurgeons I spoke to said he allows one hour plus one hour per centimeter of tumor. As you've heard, some tumor removal takes over 12 hours. Why the difference?

I can't imagine that some are much slower for the same treatment. Maybe surgeons allowing more time are careful to spare as much as possible, while others just remove the tumor. Maybe some tried to get all the tumor out while others leave some behind.

Maybe those consulting a neurosurgeon can ask some questions and fill us in.

[ColleenS]

Thanks for your responses - I am sure there are like dozens of variables that determine the length.

[ANSydney]

I hope one of the variables is not surgeon care!

[Citiview]

There are posts of success stories with all different Surgical times/lengths in different institutions.
I was concerned about it when I was given vastly different time estimates by two respected institutions. 2-3 hours in one and 8 in another.
Regarding the long times, I know someone whom I met last year who had a 12+ hour surgery for a fast growing benign tumor (not AN). She was told the surgery might affect her vision and hearing etc. but she came out of it with an excellent outcome with only minor hearing loss. I guess there was a team with all kinds of specialists involved. That surgery was done at MGH in Boston.
So I liked hearing that success story.

Wishing you the best for your surgery and recovery.

[Tod]

Location, location, location. My tumor was deep into the CPA and was hard to get to. Further, it was on the artery, which gave it a good blood supply and made it very sticky. Slice, cauterize, repeat. 32 hours to remove between 90 and 95%. Estimate had been 14-18 hours.

HOWEVER, I am a HIGHLY UNUSUAL case.

All things considered, seven years later, I am also quite wonderful. (at least as far as outcomes go )

[ColleenS]

Well, each AN is so very different. My surgery turned out to be 16 1/2 hours - with complete success! Slight facial numbness and metallic tongue but that is it! Life is good and recovery seems attainable at this point (day 6, post op).

[Citiview]

Congratulations on a great outcome.
At the end of the day it doesn't matter how long the surgery was, just that it went well.

[HolRora]

I was simply told that each tumor is as unique as the patient. They aim high so not to cause unnecessary anxiety for those in the waiting area. I've heard for mine it's 5 to 8 hours, 6 to 9 hours, or 8 to 10. I've asked everyone how they figure the time. I did here the 1hr to 1cm ratio once, but other factors always weigh in. I suppose we will find out in September.

[KarlZ]

My translab procedure took 11 hours start to finish for my 1.1cm tumor.  It all went well.   No complications afterward.   My surgeons said approcimately half the time was spent opening and closing my skull, the other half in carefully removing my tumor.

[ANSydney]

About 5 hours to open and close skull sounds like a long time.

[KarlZ]

Can't argue with excellent results