Awake craniotomy for brain tumor resection in the elderly: an institutional experience - Summary - MDSpire

Awake craniotomy for brain tumor resection in the elderly: an institutional experience

  • By

  • Vratko Himic

  • Victor M. Lu

  • Roxanne C. Mayrand

  • Emma R. Sass

  • Caleigh Roach

  • Kate Stillman

  • Sebastian Vargas-George

  • Jay Chandar

  • Vaidya Govindarajan

  • Adham M. Khalafallah

  • Zachary C. Gersey

  • Daniel M. Aaronson

  • Michael E. Ivan

  • Ashish H. Shah

  • Ricardo J. Komotar

  • January 14, 2026

  • 0 min

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Objective:

To evaluate the outcomes of awake craniotomy (AC) in elderly patients (75 years and older) undergoing brain tumor resection over a decade, focusing on functional status, complications, length of stay, and survival rates.

Key Findings:
  • Awake craniotomy is feasible and safe for elderly patients with CNS tumors, with specific complication rates documented.
  • Improved extent of resection and favorable patient-reported experiences were noted.
Interpretation:

Awake craniotomy can be a beneficial surgical option for elderly patients, allowing for effective tumor resection while minimizing risks associated with general anesthesia, which is crucial for improving patient outcomes.

Limitations:
  • Single-institution study may limit generalizability; future studies should aim for multi-institutional collaboration.
  • Retrospective design may introduce selection bias; prospective studies are needed to validate findings.
Conclusion:

Awake craniotomy is a viable surgical approach for elderly patients with brain tumors, offering potential benefits in terms of safety and outcomes, which is essential for enhancing the quality of care in this demographic.

Original Source(s)

Awake craniotomy for brain tumor resection in the elderly: an institutional experience

  • by Vratko Himic, Victor M. Lu, Roxanne C. Mayrand, Emma R. Sass, Caleigh Roach, Kate Stillman, Sebastian Vargas-George, Jay Chandar, Vaidya Govindarajan, Adham M. Khalafallah, Zachary C. Gersey, Daniel M. Aaronson, Michael E. Ivan, Ashish H. Shah, Ricardo J. Komotar

  • January 14, 2026

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