What to Expect Before, During, and After a LITT Procedure

Wondering if you’re a candidate for LITT? Read more in our candidate overview blog: Who is a Candidate for LITT.

Before the LITT Procedure

Preparation starts with a pre-operative consultation and imaging. Your care team will use MRI scans to map the tumor’s location and plan the approach. This imaging is what allows the procedure to be as precise as it is.

In the days leading up to surgery, your provider will give you specific instructions. These typically include adjustments to certain medications and fasting guidelines before the procedure. Follow these closely, as they affect both safety and outcomes.

It’s also worth thinking through your home situation before surgery day. You’ll need a support person to drive you home and help during the early recovery period. Getting your space set up ahead of time, medications on hand, a comfortable recovery area, and meals prepared makes the first few days easier.

LITT is not a procedure done in isolation. As covered in our Image-Guided Laser Therapy for Brain Tumors blog, your neurosurgeon works closely with medical and radiation oncology to make sure the full treatment plan is coordinated before you ever go in for surgery.

During the LITT Procedure

LITT uses a small incision, much smaller than what traditional open brain surgery requires. Through that incision, a thin laser probe is guided to the tumor using real-time MRI imaging. The laser delivers heat directly to the tumor tissue, destroying it while the imaging allows the surgeon to monitor exactly what’s happening throughout the procedure.

Patients are under general anesthesia, so there’s no awareness during the surgery. The procedure typically takes a few hours, though this can vary depending on the tumor’s location and size.

The precision of MRI guidance is what sets LITT apart. The surrounding healthy tissue is protected throughout, which is part of why recovery tends to be faster than with more invasive approaches.

After the LITT Procedure

Most patients stay in the hospital for a shorter period than they would after traditional open brain surgery. In the first 24 to 48 hours, expect some grogginess from anesthesia and close monitoring from the care team; this is normal.

Once home, activity will be restricted for a period of time. Your provider will give you specific instructions on what to avoid and when to follow up. Most patients can return to light daily activities within a few weeks, though full recovery timelines vary based on the individual and the extent of the procedure.

LITT is one piece of a larger care plan. After surgery, coordination with medical and radiation oncology continues. Your team will manage ongoing treatment and monitor your progress through regular imaging and follow-up appointments.

LITT Treatment in Northeast Wisconsin

Until recently, LITT was only available at a small number of specialized centers across the country. Patients in Northeast Wisconsin had to travel far from home to access it. That’s no longer the case.

Neuroscience Group now offers LITT locally, which means patients can receive advanced brain tumor care while staying close to their families and support systems. Pre- and post-operative care stays local too.

To learn more about our neurosurgery services, visit our neurosurgery page.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a brain tumor, Dr. Evan Krueger and our team at Neuroscience Group is here to help. Request an appointment with our neurosurgery team today.