In Dubai, A team of surgeons at Rashid Hospital successfully excised a brain-tumor in a 90 -minute procedure even as the the patient lay ‘awake’. The surgery was conducted in the first week of December and the patient, who fully recovered, was discharged within two weeks.
The patient was administered mild local anesthesia to ensure his speech center remained intact.
Dr Abdulla Qasim said, We navigated through the delicate parts of his brain even as he was speaking to us and made sure we did not damage any part as we removed the tumour. This kind of surgery is called awake brain surgery.”
Sophisticated technique
Dr Qasim said Rashid Hospital started using a special navigation system for spinal and neurosurgery since the beginning of 2019. “We have registered an increased rate of success and efficiency. So far, more than 100 operations have been performed with this technology,” he said.
Dr Qasim advised residents not to ignore headaches. “I have had infant and teen patients, besides adults. A brain tumour can appear at any age. If you have a constant headache that does not respond to pain medication, it is important to consult a hospital and get the correct diagnosis, before it is too late,” advised Dr Qasim.
