In a significant medical achievement, doctors at KIMS ICON Hospital, Sheelanagar, successfully performed a complex brain tumour removal surgery while the patient was awake and conversing, ensuring no neurological damage. The brain, being one of the most delicate and vital organs in the human body, requires extreme precision during surgery. Even minor errors can lead to complications such as paralysis or loss of speech. However, the surgical team led by Consultant Neurosurgeon Dr. K.A. Naidu managed to remove a tumour located in a highly sensitive region without affecting the patient’s normal functions.

The patient, a 25 year old woman from Visakhapatnam, approached the hospital with complaints of seizures two months after childbirth. Following evaluation and brain imaging, doctors identified a tumour in the motor cortex on the right side of the brain  an area responsible for controlling movements on the left side of the body.

Given the critical location of the tumour, the surgical team informed the patient’s family about the high risks involved, including potential weakness or paralysis of the left limbs. After detailed counselling and consent, the team decided to proceed with an awake craniotomy, a specialised procedure performed while the patient remains conscious.

Doctors explained that keeping the patient awake during surgery allows continuous monitoring of neurological functions such

as speech and movement, thereby reducing the risk of permanent damage. Prior to the surgery, the anaesthesia team conducted extensive counselling sessions over a week to mentally prepare the patient. Advanced neuro navigation scans were also carried out to map the tumour precisely.

The surgery, performed on March 23, lasted nearly eight hours. Using state of the art neuro navigation technology, the surgeons carefully removed the tumour while continuously interacting with the patient to monitor brain function and protect critical areas. Post surgery, the patient showed remarkable recovery with no neurological deficits. She regained normal movement and was discharged from the hospital on the fifth day. Doctors emphasised that seizures occurring after childbirth should not be ignored and require immediate medical evaluation. They highlighted that advancements in surgical techniques now make it possible to safely treat even highly complex brain tumours.

Dr. Naidu noted that awake brain surgery represents a major advancement in treating tumours located in critical areas of the brain. He added that this is the first such procedure performed in Visakhapatnam and marks a significant step forward in preserving patients’ quality of life.