In a remarkable medical breakthrough, surgeons at the Kalyan Singh Cancer Institute in Chak Ganjaria, Lucknow, successfully removed a brain tumor while the patient remained fully awake and engaged in various tasks, including using his mobile phone. The 56-year-old patient, Harishchandra Prajapati, had been suffering from headaches, as well as weakness in his left hand and leg, leading to his diagnosis of a brain tumor. The surgery, conducted on September 11, used the advanced "Awake Craniotomy" technique, which allowed doctors to monitor Prajapati’s brain functions in real time during the procedure.
The awake craniotomy technique requires the patient to remain conscious throughout the surgery to reduce the risk of nerve damage. In Prajapati’s case, he was asked to perform simple tasks such as holding a pen, moving his leg, and using his mobile phone while doctors operated on his brain under local anesthesia. By performing these tasks, the patient helped doctors ensure they were not damaging critical areas of the brain controlling motor functions during the tumor removal.
We decided to operate using the awake craniotomy technique to minimize the risk of nerve damageDr Vijendra Kumar, Head of the Neurosurgery Department, Kalyan Singh Cancer Institute
The procedure involved the use of a nerve-monitoring machine, which tracked the patient's brain activity and helped the surgical team safely extract the tumor while preserving essential neural pathways controlling movement in his hands and legs.
The use of awake craniotomy marks a significant advancement in medical science, allowing for the safe and effective removal of tumors while reducing potential long-term damage to the patient's nervous system. By keeping the patient conscious and engaged in simple tasks, surgeons can receive immediate feedback during the operation, ensuring that critical functions remain intact.
This case is not an isolated example of recent advances in brain surgery. In another notable procedure, doctors at Ujala Cygnus Hospital in Nangloi recently removed a complex brain tumor from a 62-year-old patient using a minimally invasive transnasal approach. The patient had been diagnosed with a pituitary adenoma, a benign tumor located at the base of the brain. According to Dr. Monique Garg, Senior Consultant in Neurosurgery, the tumor was successfully accessed and removed through the nasal passages, minimizing disruption to surrounding brain tissue.
The transnasal transsphenoidal approach allows us to reach the tumor through the nasal passages, causing minimal disruption to the surrounding brain tissue. The patient experienced significant improvement in his vision following the surgery, and we expect further progress in the coming weeks.Dr. Garg, Senior Consultant, Neurosurgery
Following the transnasal surgery, the patient, who had previously been unable to see clearly, could count fingers from a distance of six meters. After being discharged from the hospital, the patient returned for a follow-up appointment, continuing to show signs of improvement.
These advancements in brain surgery, whether through awake craniotomy or minimally invasive transnasal procedures, showcase the rapid progress being made in neurosurgical techniques. These methods offer patients safer alternatives to traditional surgeries, with reduced risks of nerve damage and quicker recovery times.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Ankur Deka/MSM)