Learn about Encephalocele Treatment in India — how it works, who it is for, recovery timelines, and what to expect before and after surgery. Compare hospitals and doctors experienced in Encephalocele and request assistance for cost estimates or appointments.

About Encephalocele

Encephalocele repair is a specialized neurosurgical procedure to correct a rare congenital defect where brain tissue and meninges protrude through an opening in the skull. This condition, often diagnosed prenatally or at birth, requires precise surgical intervention to carefully reposition the herniated neural structures back into the cranial cavity and close the bony defect. The primary goals are to protect the exposed brain tissue, prevent infection, improve neurological function, and achieve a normal cranial contour. The surgery is typically performed by a pediatric neurosurgeon, often in collaboration with a craniofacial team, and involves meticulous planning using advanced imaging like MRI or CT scans to ensure the safest approach and optimal long-term outcomes for the patient.

Key Highlights

    Corrects a serious congenital skull defect to protect the brain.Aims to preserve and improve neurological function and development.Prevents life-threatening complications like infection (meningitis) or CSF leakage.Improves cranial and facial appearance and symmetry.Performed by highly specialized pediatric neurosurgeons with a multidisciplinary team approach.

Who is this surgery for?

  • Diagnosis of an encephalocele (protrusion of brain/meninges) confirmed by imaging (ultrasound, MRI, CT).
  • Presence of a skull defect (cranium bifidum) with herniated contents.
  • Risk of or existing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage.
  • High risk of infection, such as meningitis.
  • To support normal neurological development and prevent further damage to brain tissue.
  • To improve cosmetic appearance and cranial contour.

How to prepare

  • Comprehensive prenatal or postnatal imaging (MRI/CT) to map the encephalocele's size, location, and involved structures.
  • Multidisciplinary evaluation involving neurosurgery, neurology, genetics, and sometimes plastic surgery.
  • Management of any associated conditions (e.g., hydrocephalus) which may require treatment before or during the main surgery.
  • Pre-operative blood tests and general health assessment to ensure the infant is fit for anesthesia and surgery.
  • Detailed discussion with the family about the surgical plan, risks, benefits, and long-term expectations.

Risks & possible complications

  • Infection, including meningitis at the surgical site.
  • Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage.
  • Bleeding or hematoma formation.
  • Damage to surrounding brain tissue, potentially leading to neurological deficits (e.g., vision problems, developmental delays, seizures).
  • Hydrocephalus (fluid buildup in the brain) requiring a shunt procedure.
  • Anesthesia-related risks.
  • Incomplete closure or recurrence of the defect.

Recovery & hospital stay

  • Initial recovery in a neonatal or pediatric intensive care unit (NICU/PICU) for close monitoring of vital signs and neurological status.
  • Management of pain and prevention of infection with medications.
  • Monitoring for signs of CSF leakage, infection, or increased intracranial pressure.
  • Careful wound care and positioning of the infant's head.
  • Long-term follow-up with neurosurgery, neurology, and developmental specialists to monitor growth, neurological development, and manage any complications like hydrocephalus.
  • Possible need for physical, occupational, or speech therapy depending on the child's specific needs.
  • checked Typical hospital stay: 7-21 days
  • checked Expected recovery time: Several months to years for full developmental assessment

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are considering encephalocele in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.

Procedure cost in other countries

Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for encephalocele compare across other countries where we have data.

Country Estimated cost range Typical stay Recovery time View details
India USD 2,719 – USD 8,701 7-21 days ~ Several months to years for full developmental assessment Know More
Turkey USD 20,131 – USD 64,420 7-21 days ~ Several months to years for full developmental assessment Know More

Top hospitals for Encephalocele in India

These partner hospitals in India have dedicated neurosurgery teams and experience managing patients undergoing encephalocele.

Cytecare Hospital

  • IconBangalore, India
  • Icon48 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Siliguri

  • IconSiliguri, India
  • Icon30 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Salt Lake

  • IconKolkata, India
  • Icon129 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar

  • IconBhubaneshwar, India
  • Icon55 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Dhakuria

  • IconKolkata, India
  • Icon200 Doctors

Miot Hospital Chennai

  • IconChennai, India
  • Icon250 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Ghaziabad

  • IconGhaziabad, India
  • Icon43 Doctors

SIMS Hospital Vadapalani

  • IconChennai, India
  • Icon71 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Mukundapur

  • IconKolkata, India
  • Icon145 Doctors

Medanta The Medicity

  • IconGurgaon, India
  • Icon900 Doctors

Nanavati Max Hospital

  • IconMumbai, India
  • Icon187 Doctors

Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar

  • IconHyderabad, India
  • Icon67 Doctors
PATIENT REVIEW

At my age, you worry about...

At my age, you worry about being a bother. Dr. Narayanamurthy never made me feel that way. He explained my medication changes slowly, and his manner was very calming. The clinic at MGM was busy, but he took his time.

Neurosurgeons for Encephalocele

Explore experienced neurosurgeons who regularly perform encephalocele and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.

Dr. Karanjit Singh Narang
  • 23 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Medanta Hospital Gurgaon

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Dr. Himanshu Arora
  • 23 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Metro Hospital Faridabad

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Dr. Rahul Kumar
  • 21 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Metro Hospital Faridabad

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Dr. Anirban Deep Banerjee
  • 18 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Medanta Hospital Gurgaon

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Dr. Rishabh Kedia
  • 13 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Medanta Hospital Gurgaon

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Dr. Tanmay Trivedi
  • 11 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Medanta Hospital Gurgaon

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Dr. Sohet Gogia
  • 10 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Medanta Hospital Gurgaon

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Dr. Aditya Singhal
  • 9 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Medanta Hospital Gurgaon

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Dr. Arul Muthukumaraswamy
  • 9 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Tamil, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Miot Hospital Chennai

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Dr. Atul Vajpeyi
  • 21 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Salt Lake

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Dr. Laxminarayan Tripathy
  • 31 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital EM Bypass

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Dr. Sunandan Basu
  • 26 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital EM Bypass

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Dr. Tejasvi Singh Randhawa
  • 10 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Dwarka

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Dr. Peeyush Tomar
  • 9 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Dwarka

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Dr. Harsh Jain
  • 15 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital EM Bypass

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Dr. Anurag Saxena
  • 23 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Dwarka

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Dr. Audumbar Netalkar
  • 41 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi, Marathi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Goa

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Dr. Amit Dhakoji
  • 17 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Baner

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Dr. Shrey Kumar Shah
  • 6 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Baner

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Dr. Omkar Narayan Churi
  • 15 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Next available on
02/Feb: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Goa

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