Chennai Doctors Achieve World’s First Keyhole Brain Tumor Surgery via Eyebrow Incision
Chennai: In a groundbreaking medical achievement, a team of neurosurgeons successfully removed a deeply embedded insular brain tumor from a 44-year-old woman using a novel eyebrow keyhole approach. This transformative technique represents a significant advancement in neuro-oncology, according to a statement from Apollo Cancer Centres (ACCs), Chennai.
The discovery of the tumor was incidental, found during a check-up following the woman’s bike accident. Located within the insula—a region deeply nestled within the cerebral cortex and surrounded by critical areas controlling speech and movement—the tumor posed substantial surgical challenges due to the dense network of blood vessels in the area.
Traditional surgical methods necessitate navigating through vital brain tissue and blood vessels, posing risks such as paralysis, stroke, and language impairment. These procedures often require the patient to remain awake, adding to the distress and potential complications like seizures and brain swelling. Despite these risks, surgery remains the primary treatment option.
Leveraging their prior experience with keyhole surgeries for skull base lesions, the ACC team opted for a new keyhole approach via a small incision in the eyebrow. This innovative technique not only provides an alternative for removing deep-seated brain tumors but also highlights “clinical excellence, efficiency, and safety.”
“The impact of this achievement cannot be overstated. The eyebrow keyhole approach offers a transformative alternative for accessing deep-seated brain tumors, minimizing invasiveness, reducing collateral damage, and significantly enhancing patient safety and overall quality of life,” said Hrishikesh Sarkar, Senior Consultant – Neurosurgery, Apollo Cancer Centres.
The woman was discharged from the hospital within 72 hours and is now recovering well. Expressing her gratitude, she remarked that the advanced treatment not only healed her but also “gave me hope, comfort, and a shorter return to normalcy.”
This pioneering procedure underscores the potential for innovative surgical techniques to improve outcomes for patients with complex medical conditions.
