Hyderabad: Doctors at the Government General Hospital (GGH) in Kakinada successfully carried out a brain surgery while the patient was watching a movie on Tuesday.
A tumor was removed from a 55-year-old patient’s brain performing a complex surgery while the patient was fully awake, The Siasat Daily reported.
The patient, A Anantalakshmi from A Kothapalli, Tondangi Mandal, watched the Telugu movie, Adhurs, starring Jr NTR and comedian Brahmanandam.
The first-ever awake brain surgery, performed without damaging critical nerves, marks a significant advancement in neurosurgical techniques.
Anantalakshmi suffered symptoms including constant headaches, numbness in her right arm and leg, and weakness.
Although there were options, she chose the Government General Hospital (GGH) in Kakinada for the surgery.
A tumour of 3.3 x 2.7 cm was found on the left side of her brain after she was admitted at the hospital on September 11.
All through the surgery she was awake, and watching the movie just as the doctors interacted with her ensuring that the critical nerves in the brain were fully functional.
Head of the anesthesiology department Dr A Vishnuvardhan said “Patients are kept awake during the procedure so they can respond to questions and ensure no nerves are damaged.’
Dr A Vishnuvardhan added that keeping the patient wakeful helps doctors understand they are treating the correct area thus reducing the risk of damage to vital regions.
Shortly after the three-hour surgery, the patient got up and had breakfast and is reportedly recovering fast and will be discharged in five days.