During brain surgery, it is common to keep patients awake in order to monitor critical functions like speech, sensation, and motor skills. This approach allows surgeons to ensure the procedure is progressing safely, without risking damage to important areas of the brain that control these vital functions. Patients, depending on the part of the brain being operated on, may be asked to perform various activities such as playing a musical instrument, solving puzzles, reading a book, or even engaging in conversation. This process, called Awake Craniotomy, is crucial in protecting key neurological functions during complex surgeries, particularly in sensitive areas of the brain.
A recent case in Andhra Pradesh highlighted the success of this procedure, where doctors performed an awake craniotomy while the patient watched a film starring popular actor Jr. NTR. A 55-year-old female patient, A. Ananthalakshmi, came to the hospital complaining of numbness in her limbs and persistent headaches. Upon further investigation, doctors discovered a 3.3 x 2.7 cm tumor located on the left side of her brain. The surgery took place at Kakinada's Government General Hospital (GGH). Ananthalakshmi chose the government hospital due to financial constraints, as the same procedure in a private facility would have been significantly more expensive.
Due to high treatment costs at private hospitals, she chose the government hospital for the operation.
Doctors
To keep Ananthalakshmi awake and alert during the surgery, the doctors suggested playing her favorite movie, Adhurs, starring Jr. NTR. This helped her stay relaxed and engaged while the medical team worked to remove the tumor. The surgery lasted two hours, and the tumor was completely removed. Doctors were satisfied with the outcome and planned her discharge within five days, provided her recovery proceeded without complications.
A similar case occurred a week earlier at the Kalyan Singh Cancer Institute in Uttar Pradesh. During that surgery, the patient remained awake and used his phone throughout the procedure, as though it were a routine day. In another remarkable instance, doctors operated on a five-year-old girl who had a deadly brain tumor. To keep her engaged and responsive during the operation, the doctors had conversations with her and even asked her to recognize a picture of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which she successfully identified.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Yash Kamble/MSM)
