5-year-old girl youngest in world to undergo historic ‘awake’ brain tumour surgery

Digital Desk: In a significant development, doctors at AIIMS, Delhi, have successfully performed a brain tumor surgery on a five-year-old girl while keeping her conscious. 

This remarkable procedure, known as 'awake craniotomy' or conscious sedation technique, was conducted on January 4. The young patient, diagnosed with a left perisylvian intraaxial brain tumor, presented a history of seizures.

The surgery, lasting three hours, involved a team of neurosurgeons who utilized advanced technological adjuncts such as preoperative functional MRI, intraoperative ultrasonography, and neuronavigation. 

These tools precisely localized the tumor during resection, allowing mapping of functional areas while the child remained awake. Local anesthesia was administered before the procedure by neuro anesthetists, and ice-cold saline was used on the brain surface to prevent seizures.

A careful and thorough discussion took place between the medical team, the patient's family, and the child before deciding to proceed with the surgery. The family was extensively counseled on the procedure's steps, ensuring informed consent.

Before the surgery, the young patient was shown common objects, and animals, and given language and sensorimotor tasks for assessment. Astonishingly, she was able to identify Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the surgical procedure, showcasing the success of the conscious sedation technique.

Awake surgeries for brain tumors aim to maximize tumor removal while minimizing neurological deficits. Dr. Deepak Gupta, the Professor of Neurosurgery who led the operation, emphasized the collaborative nature of awake craniotomies, requiring perfect harmony between the surgical and anesthesia teams. The method ensures patients experience minimal pain while actively participating in neurological tests.

Dr. Gupta proudly declared the five-year-old, named Akshita, as the youngest child in the world to undergo a successful brain tumor surgery under awake conditions at this age at AIIMS, Delhi. The child's recovery is reported to be progressing well, and she is expected to be discharged on Monday.

This unprecedented feat not only highlights the remarkable capabilities of medical professionals but also showcases the advancements in surgical techniques and technology. The successful awake craniotomy on such a young patient sets a new milestone in pediatric neurosurgery, offering hope for improved outcomes in treating complex brain conditions in children.