Decompressive craniectomy

A decompressive craniectomy is a medical procedure where surgeons remove a piece of a skull from a human in order to allow the brain to swell outside the skull. The procedure is to be used as a last resort if other procedures, including if inducing calcium channel blockers has no effect. In 2007, Dr. Keller and her team performed a decompressive craniectomy on Elizabeth Weir after she was injured during an attack on Atlantis.

Behind the scenes
While filming the scene, an actual brain surgeon performed the same procedure on a head model live from ten feet away from the cameras, and directed Jewel Staite (Keller) on what to do. After filming was completed, the surgeon's voice was removed from the final cut.