Innovative Awake Brain Surgery Performed with Patient Watching Favorite Movie

In a groundbreaking medical procedure, doctors at Government General Hospital (GGH) in Kakinada have successfully performed an awake craniotomy to remove a brain tumor from a 55-year-old patient, A. Anantalakshmi, while showing her the movie *Adhurs*, starring Jr. NTR. This pioneering surgery, which is the first of its kind at the hospital, is being celebrated for its innovative approach and successful outcome.Anantalakshmi, from A. Kothapalli, Tondangi Mandal, had been suffering from symptoms such as weakness in her right arm and leg, headaches, fainting, and numbness on the right side of her body. After exploring various private hospitals where the treatment was deemed costly and complex, she was admitted to GGH on September 11. A CT scan revealed a 3.3 x 2.7 cm tumor on the left side of her brain.On the day of the surgery, doctors decided to keep Anantalakshmi awake under minimal sedation to monitor and protect critical brain functions. To keep her calm and comfortable, the medical team played her favorite comedy scenes from *Adhurs*, featuring Jr. NTR and Brahmanandam. The film’s engaging content helped distract her during the procedure, which lasted approximately two and a half hours.Dr. Lavanyakumari, who led the surgical team, stated, “This type of surgery was performed for the first time at GGH. Keeping the patient awake allows us to monitor critical functions and avoid damaging important brain areas.”Dr. A. Vishnuvardhan, head of the anesthesiology department, and Dr. Vijaysekhar, head of neurosurgery, explained that awake craniotomy is essential for surgeries near critical brain regions. By interacting with the patient during the procedure, surgeons can ensure they are targeting the tumor without affecting areas responsible for vision, movement, or speech.The surgery was successful, and Anantalakshmi was able to sit up and have breakfast shortly afterward. She is expected to be discharged within five days, marking a significant milestone in medical care at GGH.Awake brain surgery, or awake craniotomy, allows for real-time feedback from the patient, helping to minimize risks and ensure that critical brain functions are preserved. This technique is especially important when dealing with tumors or epilepsy close to essential brain regions, as it enables surgeons to make precise adjustments during the operation.