ADVANTAGES OF GAMMA KNIFE SURGERY:
- No head shaving
- No incisions
- No general anesthesia
- Predictable outcomes
- Patients go home usually on the same day (time lost from employment is minimal)
- Many patients resume their everyday activities.
- People who would be at high risk for complications by conventional surgery can use this opportunity (older patients)
- It can be used when prior surgery has failed to control the disease process.
- Cost effective (20% less than conventional neurosurgery)
- Bloodless, virtually painless
- Eliminates risk of infection, hemorrhage, and spinal fluid leakage of open skull surgery
- No scarring or potential disfigurements

DISADVANTAGES OF GAMMA KNIFE SURGERY:
- Small risk of advertise radiation effects (2 – 4%), resulting in swelling.

Common Early Complications:
- Local pain and swelling in the scalp
- Headache

Rare Early Complications:
- Skin reddening and irritation
- Nausea
- Seizure

Rare Delayed Complications:
- Local loss of hair in superficial lesions
- Local brain swelling in treatment site

In Extremely Rare Cases:
- Visual loss
- Deafness

However, keep in mind that these complications are most likely not going to happen. The Gamma Knife is very reliable as it is used in 165 sites worldwide and over 194,943 patients have received the treatment. Keep in mind that usually, most of the effects are transient and can be treated effectively with medications.