You will be closely monitored for the first 12–24 hours after the operation. For the first day or two, you will be in the intensive care or high dependency unit.
You may stay in hospital for only 2 or up to 10 days. How long you stay in hospital will depend on whether you have any problems or side effects after the surgery.
 | Checks and observationsNurses will regularly check your breathing, blood pressure, pulse, temperature, pupil size, and arm and leg strength and function. You will also be asked questions to assess your level of consciousness. These are called neurological observations, and help to check how your brain and body are recovering from surgery. |
 | Spinal cord checksIf you have had an operation on your spinal cord, the nurses will regularly check the movement and sensation in your arms and legs. You may need to lie flat in bed for 2–5 days to allow the wound to heal. A physiotherapist will help you learn how to roll over and how to get out of bed safely, to avoid damaging the wound. |
 | Pressure stockingsYou will need to wear pressure stockings on your legs to prevent blood clots forming while you are recovering from surgery. Tell your doctor or nurse if you have pain or swelling in your legs or suddenly have difficulty breathing. |
 | Headaches and nauseaYou may have a headache or nausea after the operation. Both can be treated with medicines. |
 | RehabilitationThe surgery may cause a range of short-term or longer-term side effects. Before you can return home, you may need further treatment known as rehabilitation to help you regain your mobility and get back to your daily activities. |
 | Bandages and bruisingThe wound is covered with a dressing, which varies from a small adhesive pad to bandaging covering your head. Some or all of your head may be shaved. After some surgery, your face and eyes may be swollen or bruised. It’s not usually painful and should ease in about a week.You may have dissolvable sutures (stitches) that don’t need to be removed, they simply fall out. Or you may have sutures or staples that need to be taken out once the wound has healed. You will have a scar, and your hair won’t grow in the scar – but it’s usually behind the hairline and once the rest of your hair grows back it isn’t easily seen. |
 | Having a shuntRarely, there may be a build-up of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain, called hydrocephalus. It may be caused by the tumour or it can happen after surgery. To drain the extra fluid, you may have a temporary or permanent shunt (a long thin tube placed into your brain).For a temporary shunt (called an external ventricular drain), the tube drains fluid into a bag on the outside of the body. For a permanent shunt, the tube is inserted completely inside your body. It drains into your abdomen and the fluid is absorbed into your bloodstream. |
For more on this, see our general section on Surgery.
→ READ MORE: Side effects of surgery for brain cancer
More resources
Prof Lindy Jeffree, Director of Neurosurgery, Alfred Health, VIC; Caitriona Nienaber, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council WA; Prof Tamara Ownsworth, Clinical Neuropsychologist and Research Director, The Hopkins Centre, Griffith University, QLD; A/Prof Hao-Wen Sim, Medical Oncologist, The Kinghorn Cancer Centre and Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; Megan Trevethan, Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapy – Cancer and Lymphoedema Services, Princess Alexandra Hospital, QLD; Chris Twyford, Cancer Specialist Nurse, Canberra Health Services, Cancer and Ambulatory Support, ACT; Dr Adam Wells, Clinical Academic Consultant Neurosurgeon, The University of Adelaide, Royal Adelaide Hospital, SA.
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