Nursing perspective of gamma knife of treatment

By: Vasli. P. MSN

Abstract:

Gamma knife is a new noninvasive method for treatment of patient with brain tumors. Another name of this procedure is steriotatic radiosurgery. This computerized advanced technique was implicated by a team including neurosurgeon, neuroradialogist, oncologist,  and a nurse. This method is used for treatment of certain brain tumors and lesions. The benefits are low risk of postoperative complication, no general anesthesia, high accuracy, safety and rehabilitation, improved outcomes and faster return to home.

 Four stage of this procedure include:

1- frame placement

2- imaging

3- planning

4- Treatment

A gamma knife nurse is usually the first person who communicates with the patient and is present at patient’s side before treatment until follow up. Nurse is also the liaison between treatment team and patients. Their duties include maintaining effective relationship between medical team, planning patient’s treatment, cooperation with physician, providing nursing care to patients, educating patients and their family and physical and mental support.   

Key words: Gamma knife, Steriotatic surgery, nursing