A patient from Pathankot underwent “Awake Craniotomy”—a form of brain tumour surgery carried out with the patient being awake.

Veena Devi(45) carried a tumour on the left side of the brain near the areas that control speech and comprehension. She underwent “Awake Craniotomy” under the effect of local anaesthesia and excision of the brain tumour. “The patient remained awake and alert during the whole procedure and she did not have any speech problems during and after that,” said a doctor.

This operation was carried out by a team of neurosurgeons led by Dr Pradipta Tripathy and a team of anaesthetists led by Dr Valsa Abraham. Dr Tripathy said: “Awake craniotomy is a new form of brain surgery where the patient remains alert and awake throughout the operation.”

“The advantage of this form of surgery is that it preserves the normal function of the brain and facilitates the removal of maximum tumour. Attendant risks of general anaesthesia & costs are also minimized,” said a doctor.

Veena Devi, who admitted of being nervous before the surgery, maintained: “I was awake throughout the surgery but did not have any pain and the doctors kept talking to me. I am very happy with my treatment.”