Written By: Bhavyajyoti Chilukoti | Updated : October 4, 2017 1:31 PM IST
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Off late we have been hearing a lot about brain surgeries been done when the patient is completely awake and fully aware of the procedure. It was only recently that a 37-year-old Bengaluru musician played guitar as doctors performed brain surgery on him. And just a few days back, a 43-year-old woman from Guntur, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour was operated at Tulasi Multi-specialty Hospital in Guntur, while she was watching the movie 'Bahubali'. But is it safe to perform a surgery while a person is awake? Why is the trend on the rise these days? We asked Dr B Hanuma Srinivas Reddy, Assistant professor, Guntur Govt hospital, who performed the surgery on the Guntur woman.
The woman suffered from a brain tumour known as cavernoma. The site of the tumour was left sensory cortex, the area of the brain that corresponds to the right hand, tongue, lip, throat muscles and speech area. In such a case, it is important for the patient to stay conscious and hence, making her watch her favourite movie during the procedure was decided. The trick worked for her.
Is it mandatory to do the surgery when the person is conscious?
If a patient is under anaesthesia, then it becomes difficult to know which nerve fibre to operate on of the many fibres present in the brain. When a patient is awake, any weakness in the body can be identified on the operation table and a new route to reach the area and treat the condition is devised. Hence, if there is any weakness, we stop touching the area or the nerve fibre and find a new route. Hence, the treatment becomes easy when a person is awake than when unconscious.
Is this type of surgery safe?
There were studies that have reported that playing music during surgery is not such a good idea, after all as it can distract the doctors from their work.When asked about the same, the doctor said that there is no substantial evidence about this. "Moreover, when in an operation theatre our aim is to treat the patient and save the patient. This is the second time I have done this type of surgery and this is not a new thing. In fact, it is a well-discovered entity and a safe option if done by experts," says Dr Srinivas.
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