NEUROSURGICAL CARE FOR PATIENTS WITH BRAIN TUMORS IN THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS
Over the recent 14 years a steady annual increase in the number of patients with brain tumors subjected to neurosurgery has been registered in the Republic of Belarus. A preoperative diagnosis consists in a comprehensive assessment by means of modern methods of neurovisualization including magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Using brain mapping, intraoperative fluorescence, microsurgical techniques as well as neuronavigation and computer planning makes it possible to perform microsurgical resection of intracranial tumors, preserving the principle of availability of anatomic and functional permissibility of operations. If the anatomical and topographical localization of intracranial tumors determines the degree of risk and complexity of neurosurgical intervention, then their morphological structure defines tactics of the postoperative management. The effective rehabilitation therapy of patients provides for stimulation of the lost functions within the first month after surgery. On the basis of the established number of brain tumors according to the malignancy grade (Grade I - in 45% of patients, Grade II - in 12%, Grade III - in 9% and Grade IV - in 34% of patients) it has been concluded that 55% of patients (Grade II-III-IV) require special postoperative treatment at the oncology centers.