Notice
Road and parking lot construction in Madison, Wis. may result in travel delays and route changes to UW Health clinic and hospital locations. Please plan accordingly.Read more
Road and parking lot construction in Madison, Wis. may result in travel delays and route changes to UW Health clinic and hospital locations. Please plan accordingly.Read more
Embolization of the blood vessels in the brain is done by our neuroendovasular team. You may need this procedure to treat a brain aneurysm or an arterial-venous malformation (AVM), or dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF). It can also be used with open neurosurgery or stereotactic radiosurgery to repair an AVM.
The doctor will use special equipment to see the blood vessels and will insert a small catheter through to the blood vessel. The doctor will then inject small soft metal coils, a liquid embolic material or solid particle into the aneurysm or blood vessel to “block off” blood flow to the aneurysm or problem area.
What is embolized depends on the size, location, symptoms, hemodynamics, and anatomic vasculature of the area to be treated.
We will give you a pre-op folder with information about your surgery.
You will need a pre-op physical and lab work within 30 days of surgery.
Our staff will call you to schedule surgery and tell you how to get ready.
Tell your doctor about any recent illness.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including herbal supplements.
List any allergies to medicines, metals, food, anesthesia or iodinated contrast media.
Your doctor may tell you to stop taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Do not stop taking blood thinning medicines unless told to do so. Our team or the ordering provider will tell you how to safely stop your medicines.
Tell the doctor if you are pregnant.
Plan to stay in our Neuro ICU for 1-2 nights.
You may feel more pressure in the head or have a headache. We can order pain medicine for you if this occurs.
You will be asked to get out of bed the day of surgery or the day after. We will have you increase your activity slowly. Walking is the best exercise.
You will start with clear liquids and then return to your normal diet slowly.
You will need to take things a little easy for a while. Slowly work back into your routine, always within the guidelines set by your doctor. You can return to your routines when you feel better. How much you can do depends on your level of comfort and fatigue.
If your vision is normal, you are not taking narcotic medicines, you may drive, unless the doctor has told you not to.
Your return to work will be discussed at the first clinic visit. The amount of time off work varies from 2-4 weeks.
This will depend upon your doctor's advice.
Do not soak in water for the next week.
You may shower and gently wash the puncture site with mild soap and water. Do not rub. Blot with a towel to dry.
You may remove the bandage over your groin site when you shower.
You may resume your normal bathing habits after 1 week.
Until you see your doctor, avoid:
Contact sports
Weightlifting
Hard exercise, walking is ok
Lifting more than 10 pounds
Stooping or bending over (squat if you need to pick things up
Straining
Things that may raise your blood pressure
Constipation
Avoid all tobacco products and second-hand smoke
Increase your fiber and water intake to prevent constipation. Try to drink at least 8 glasses of water per day.
Constipation can cause you to strain during bowel movements. Along with increasing fiber and water in your diet, try staying active. Walking is the best way to stay active while following your activity restrictions. If you have problems, you can get stool softeners at the pharmacy. Do not use suppositories or enemas.
Feeling dizzy
Severe or increased headaches
Vision changes
Nausea or vomiting
Feeling sleepy for long periods
Change in behavior
Problems with walking or balance
Constipation not relieved by stool softeners and increased fiber and water
Fever over 100.5 for 24 hours
Any signs of wound infection including redness, swelling or drainage
Neurosurgery Clinic
Monday- Friday, 8 am-5 pm
(608) 263-4730
After hours, weekends, and holidays, call the paging operator at (608) 262-0486 and ask for the neuroendovascular doctor on call.
Toll free at (800) 323-8942