During the operation, a surgeon removes the portion of the skull that is causing the pressure on the brain. This is usually the area of the skull that covers the injury.

The surgery is performed under general anesthesia, which means the person will be asleep, will not feel the procedure, and will have no memory of the operation.

A craniectomy begins with a cut in the scalp. The surgeon peels back the skin and tissue underneath it to reveal the skull.

Because the skull is a hard bone, the doctor will use a drill, and a bone saw to cut into it.

Once the surgeon has removed the bone, they will stop any bleeding before closing the wound with stitches.

After surgery, the bone taken from the skull is usually stored in a freezer. If the individual recovers, the bone may be replaced.