I've had both transphenoidal (through the nasal cavity) and cranial surgery at UW in Seattle. Brain surgery is a scary proposition either way, but recovery in both cases was easier than I expected. My cranial surgery was in September of this year, and the one thing that lingers is double vision in one eye, although apparently that's not unusual and takes 3-6 months to clear up. I hope your brother's surgery goes smoothly and his recovery is an easy one.