After Your Treatment and Follow-up Care

After your treatment

We take the head frame off. Then we put antibiotic ointment and bandages where the pins were.

Once your treatment is complete and the head frame is removed, our treatment nurse will observe you for a period of time. While complications with Gamma Knife are rare, more common side effects after treatment include headache and nausea. If you are experiencing either of these, alert the nurse and we can give you medication to treat your symptoms.

Gamma Knife treatment is usually done on an outpatient basis, where patients are released to go home after an observation period. Occasionally our physicians may require you to stay overnight, depending on the condition that was treated. Patients usually return to pretreatment activities and lifestyle within a few days.

Follow-up care

Follow-up care is very important. Your nurse will give you specific instructions. Be sure to follow them. The doctor who referred you for Gamma Knife treatment and the Gamma Knife team will coordinate your follow-up care. You will need follow-up imaging studies to track the progress of your treatment.

Once you are home

You can resume your normal diet and activities as soon as you want to, unless your doctor gives you other advice.

You can gently shampoo your hair one day after treatment. Avoid scrubbing the pin sites until they have healed.

Some patients feel numb or tingling in the scalp next to the pin sites. This feeling is usually gone within a few weeks.

Possible side effects

Depending on the size, shape and location of your condition, some long-term risks are possible after Gamma Knife surgery. They are unlikely. If you have any unusual symptoms, be sure to tell your doctor right away. Unusual symptoms include seizure, new onset of numbness, weakness, loss of balance, vision problems or severe headache.

If you have questions about Gamma Knife radiosurgery, please contact the Gamma Knife Center at 877-9GAMMA9(942-6629).

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