Doctors at KIMS ICON Hospital, Sheelanagar, successfully removed a brain tumour from a 25-year-old woman while she remained awake and conversed throughout the procedure, preventing any neurological damage.
The brain is one of the body’s most delicate organs, and surgery in critical regions demands exceptional precision. Even a minor error can result in paralysis or speech impairment. However, Consultant Neurosurgeon Dr. K.A. Naidu and his team safely removed the tumour without affecting the patient’s speech or movement.
Tumour Detected after Childbirth
The patient, a resident of Visakhapatnam, sought medical care after experiencing seizures two months after childbirth. Brain imaging revealed a tumour in the right motor cortex, the area that controls movement on the left side of the body.
Because of the tumour’s location, doctors informed the family about the potential risks, including weakness or paralysis of the left limbs. After detailed counselling and obtaining informed consent, the team opted for an awake craniotomy.
Awake Surgery Preserved Brain Function
As per a hospital press release, awake brain surgery allows surgeons to continuously assess a patient’s speech and movement during the operation, significantly reducing the risk of permanent neurological damage. To prepare the patient, the anaesthesia team conducted counselling sessions over a week, while advanced neuro-navigation imaging accurately mapped the tumour before surgery.
Successful Eight-Hour Procedure
The surgery, performed on March 23, lasted nearly eight hours. Using advanced neuro-navigation technology, the surgical team carefully removed the tumour while regularly interacting with the patient to monitor critical brain functions.
The patient recovered without any neurological deficits, regained normal movement, and was discharged on the fifth postoperative day.
A Milestone for Neurosurgery
Dr. K.A. Naidu said awake brain surgery is a major advancement for treating tumours located in functionally important areas of the brain. He added that this was the first awake craniotomy performed in Visakhapatnam and represents a significant step towards preserving patients’ quality of life.
The doctors also advised that seizures occurring after childbirth should never be ignored and require prompt medical evaluation. They noted that advances in neurosurgical techniques now enable the safe treatment of even highly complex brain tumours.