Neurosurgery in Higashicho

Neurosurgery is a medical specialty that focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of disorders/diseases or injury that affects any portion of the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, spinal column, and peripheral nerves. This specialty includes both adult and pediatric patients. A physician who specializes in neurosurgery is called a neurosurgeon. Although they are mostly known as ‘brain surgeons,’ they are also medically trained to help patients who suffer from neck and back pain, as well as a wide range of other illnesses. Some of the most common conditions that neurosurgeons can treat include:

• Meningitis
• Traumatic head injury
• Cervical spine disorders
• Sciatica
• Herniated disc
• Stroke
• Chronic pain
• Carotid artery disease
• Pituitary tumors
• Brain tumors
• Hydrocephalus
• Trigeminal neuralgia
• Spine tumors
• Vertebral fractures
• Sciatica
• Lumbar spinal stenosis.

A neurosurgeon can provide diagnostic procedures, as well as both surgical and non-surgical treatment. These include, but are not limited to:

• Computerized Tomography (CT) scan
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Lumbar Puncture
• Electroencephalography (EEG)
• Ultrasonography (USG)
• Biopsy
• Aneurysm repair
• Tumor removal
• Trauma repair
• Clot removal
• Deep brain stimulation (DBS)
• Brain stereotactic radiosurgery
• Epilepsy surgery
• Fetal surgery
• Endovascular treatment
• Endoscopic procedures
• Hyperhidrosis surgery, such as endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy
• Seizure surgery
• Spinal fusion
• Trigeminal neuralgia surgery.

How Long Should I Stay in Higashicho?

Your length of stay depends on the type of procedure you underwent. For diagnostic tests, you may need to stay in Higashicho for 3 to 7 days to wait until the results are ready and to discuss the results with your neurosurgeon. In some cases, you may be allowed to leave for home immediately. For medical treatments, you usually need to stay in the hospital for two to five days, and stay in Higashicho for 7 to 14 more days, sometimes even longer. During your stay, you will have to attend regular checkups where your neurosurgeon monitors your condition. If everything is fine, you will be allowed to travel home.

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

Since there is a wide range of procedures, recovery times vary. In general, it can take around 4 to 12 weeks to recover from surgery. During this period avoid strenuous activities and take time off of work. Your doctor will gradually allow you to increase your activity levels, based on their examination at the follow-up visits. 

What Aftercare is Required?

After neurosurgery treatments, you will have to change your lifestyle. A healthy diet, such as keeping your salt levels down and avoiding sugary food, is crucial to prevent complications. It is also important that you exercise regularly and get enough sleep. For some types of surgery, you will need rehabilitation therapy, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech, language therapy. 

What's the Success Rate?

Given the advances in technology, understanding of the nervous system, and surgical understanding, the success rate of neurosurgery continues to improve and is now higher than before. For example, the success rate of endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) is around 95%, while the likelihood of being seizure-free five years after epilepsy surgery is around 95%. Still, every procedure come with potential risks and side effects, such as infection, excessive swelling of the brain, spinal fluid leakage, and seizures.

Are there Alternatives?

If you have any conditions related to your nervous system, you can go to a neurologist as the alternative. However, since neurologists do not perform surgery, they will refer you to a neurosurgeon should surgery be required as part of your treatment.

Neurosurgery in and around Higashicho

About Higashicho

Higashicho is an area in Koganei, a city located in the western part of Tokyo, Japan. Due to its ease of access to Tokyo and more affordable prices, Higashicho is frequented by tourists who wish to stay in a quiet and affordable accommodation than the ones in the center of Tokyo. Today, the area is also frequented by medical tourists looking for high-quality treatments in Japan. The clinics and hospitals in this area are known to have top quality services, reasonably priced treatments, state-of-the-art medical technology, as well as well-trained and licensed medical professionals.

Popular Parts of Higashicho

The most popular attraction near Higashicho is Koganei Park, which is a huge park with many different attractions. The park has free outdoor basketball courts, baseball fields, and tennis courts. It also has large open areas, perfect for those who want to go picnic or throw Frisbees. You can also find barbeque pits for rent. The park is also a good spot for plum blossom viewing in February and cherry blossom viewing in March. In fact, it is listed in the top 100 cherry blossom spots in Japan.

The park is also home to Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum, a museum of historic Japanese buildings. This museum is a branch of the Edo-Tokyo Museum in Ryōgoku, Tokyo. The museum includes numerous buildings, from the middle-class ordinary Japanese houses to the homes of the powerful and wealthy, such as the residence of Takahashi Korekiyo, Japan’s former prime minister. In this museum, visitors can enter and explore various traditional Japanese buildings of different periods, styles, and purposes.

Transport in Higashicho

Since there is no international airport in Higashicho and Koganei, most international tourists arrive at the Narita International Airport. This airport serves domestic and international flights to numerous cities around the world.

Visas in Higashicho

Holders of passports issued by 66 countries, including all EU countries, Australia, the US, and the UAE, can visit and stay in Japan without a visa for up to 90 days. Most other countries not listed in the visa-free policy need to obtain a visa prior to arrival. Budget airlines, including Jetstar Japan, operates flights from this airport. Medical tourists can arrive in Koganei by train by taking the JR Chuo Line from Shinjuku west from thirty minutes, then take a taxi or bus to Higashicho.

Weather in Higashicho

Higashicho has four seasons. The summer (June to August) is hot and humid, with a lot of rainfall. Autumn (September to November) has mild weather with less humidity. November is the peak typhoon season. Winter (December to February) is dry, sunny, and cold, but the temperature rarely drops below 0°C. Spring (March to May) has pleasant weather and clear skies.

Additional Info

1. Local Currency: Japanese Yen (JPY) is the local currency. 1 USD is approx. 106 JPY.
2. Money & Payments: ATMs can be found around the area. Credit cards are not always accepted, so always bring cash with you. Tipping is not mandatory.
3. Local Language: Japanese is the official language. English is not widely spoken, except in tourist areas.
4. Local Culture and Religion: The main religion in the area is Shintoism and Buddhism. There is also a small group of Christian.
5. Public Holidays: Emperor’s Birthday, Children’s Day, and Constitution Memorial Day are some of the public holidays celebrated in Higashicho.