A new technology called Intra-Operative Neuro-Monitoring (IONM) is now making complex neuro surgeries safer and more effective, giving better results to patients.
The technology is said to prevent or minimise possible post operative damages to a patient’s functional areas after removing benign or malignant brain tumours through surgery. The positive outcomes of the new technology were discussed at the inaugural session of the first International Intra-Operative Neuro Monitoring Conference organised by a hospital chain on Friday.
Over 200 neuro experts from across the country and world participated in the conference. Some of the participants included Dr. Vedran Deletis from Croatia, Dr. K. Park from South Korea, Dr. Sandip Chatterjee from Kolkata and senior neuro-surgeons from Yashoda Hospitals B.J. Rajesh and Anand Balasubramanian.
Thanks to the technology along with intra-op MRI, Yashoda Hospitals with a dedicated team of neurosurgeons, neuro anaesthesiologists and neuro technicians performed over 200 complex surgeries in the last two years, said Dr. Pavan Gorukanti, director, Yashoda Hospitals.
Dr. Balasubrahmaniam told The Hindu that some brain surgeries are considered too complex when tumours are located very close to the functional areas in the brain responsible for specific functions like speech, vision, movement, sensation, hearing, swallowing.
The problems that can occur due to unintended damage to nerves during complex neuro surgeries can impair the quality of patient’s life. Preservation of functions controlled by various parts of brain is more essential in neuro surgery. This is where the IONM along with image guidance with intraop 3T MRI has added to safety and precision while performing complex surgeries and preventing damage to nerve circuits. The patients would be awake during the surgery and the doctors would speak to them to monitor their functionality, he said.
Three patients, including a five-year-old boy, Arun Singh, who underwent surgery for removal of tumour in the brain with IONM technology, were present.
