Craniectomy

January 12, 2026

This page was reviewed under our medical and editorial policy by Rosalind Munoz, P.A., Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, City of Hope^® Cancer Center Duarte.

A craniectomy is a major surgical procedure that’s used to relieve swelling, pressure or bleeding in the brain. Some patients may need to undergo a craniectomy to help reduce pressure caused by a tumor pushing against other tissue inside the skull.

What Is a Craniectomy?

During a craniectomy, neurosurgeons remove a section of bone from a patient’s skull to expose the brain. This allows them to access the part of the brain where the tumor is located, so it can be treated or removed. The section of bone that’s removed – referred to as a bone flap – is not replaced after the surgery is complete. Instead, it’s preserved so it can be put back in place after the swelling or pressure in the brain has resolved.

Craniectomy vs. Craniotomy vs. Cranioplasty

Craniectomy and craniotomy are two surgeries that can be used to treat brain tumors. But there’s a difference between the two procedures.

Craniectomy involves removing a section of the skull, treating a tumor and leaving the skull open to relieve pressure on the brain.

Craniotomy involves removing a section of the skull, treating a tumor and then replacing the bone flap at the end of the procedure.

Cranioplasty is a surgical procedure to replace a bone flap that was removed in a prior surgery. During a cranioplasty, surgeons replace the section of bone, then close the wound in the patient’s skull.

After Surgery

At the end of a craniectomy surgery, doctors place a mesh material over the gap left in a patient’s skull and seal the wound. Recovery then takes place in an intensive care unit, where doctors and nurses can closely monitor the swelling in a patient’s brain and manage any complications from the surgery.

Patients who undergo a craniectomy must wear a helmet that protects their brain from injury during recovery, which can take months or longer. Many people require regular checkups or lifelong care to monitor their health after a craniectomy.

What Is a Cranioplasty Procedure?

A cranioplasty is a surgery to repair the hole left in a patient’s skull after a craniectomy. During a cranioplasty, expert neurosurgeons may replace the bone flap with the section of bone removed during the craniectomy or with a synthetic material or metal plate, if the bone flap cannot be used or was not stored after the craniectomy.

Will Hair Grow Back After a Craniectomy?

Yes. Although a patient’s head is shaved prior to a craniectomy, for most patients, their hair will grow back after the procedure and during the recovery period.

Side Effects of Surgery

Craniectomy is a major neurosurgery that can have both short-term and long-term complications. Some of the potential side effects of a craniectomy include:

• Bleeding in the space between the brain and the skull (subdural hematoma)
• Infection at the site of the wound or an abscess (infected fluid) inside the brain
• Meningitis
• Brain damage
• Seizures or stroke
• Change to speech, language, memory or the ability to move
• Coma

Brain tumor patients should speak with the care team before a craniectomy to get a full picture of the possible complications and side effects.