Odisha Hospital performs eastern India’s first brain surgery using advanced mapping techniques

In a significant advancement for neurosurgery in Eastern India, doctors at the Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital have successfully performed the region’s first brain surgery using cortical and subcortical brain mapping techniques, offering new hope to patients with complex brain tumors located near critical brain regions.

Dr Srikant Kumar Swain, Associate Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at IMS and SUM Hospital, recently conducted the procedure on a young adult with a tumor near the brain’s speech and motor control areas.

Advertisement

“Mapping techniques were used during the procedure to accurately identify and preserve key functional areas, ensuring safe and effective tumor removal,” Dr. Swain said at a press conference on Tuesday.

The complex procedure was successfully carried out by a multidisciplinary team led by Dr Swain. Other members of the team included Dr Srimanta Pattnaik, Consultant Neurologist, and Dr Debi Prasad Mohapatra, Consultant in Neuro-Anesthesia, whose role was crucial during intraoperative neurological testing.

Explaining the procedure, Dr Swain said, “Cortical and subcortical brain mapping allows us to protect vital brain functions while removing high-risk tumors located in eloquent areas.”

By using direct brain stimulation and advanced monitoring during the surgery, the team was able to distinguish and avoid important areas of the brain responsible for movement and language. The patient is recovering well and has retained all essential neurological functions.

Following the surgery, the patient is currently undergoing radiotherapy based on the histopathological report.

Eminent neurosurgeon Prof. (Dr.) Ashok Kumar Mahapatra expressed his happiness over the successful surgery, describing it as a proud moment for Odisha.

“Cortical and subcortical brain mapping is a highly advanced neurosurgical technique, and its successful implementation here reflects the growing excellence of neurosurgical care in our state,” said Prof (Dr) Mahapatra, who was conferred the Padma Shri by the Government of India this year.

He is also the former Vice-Chancellor of Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (SOA) and currently serves as the university’s Principal Advisor (Health Sciences).

Prof (Dr) Pusparaj Samantasinghar, Medical Superintendent of the hospital, said the surgery marks a significant milestone in functional neurosurgery in Eastern India, enabling the conduct of complex surgeries that previously required patients to travel to major cities outside the state.

IMS and SUM Hospital, he added, has emerged as a regional center for advanced functional neurosurgical care, including the treatment of brain tumors, epilepsy, and movement disorders using modern brain mapping techniques.

Also present at the press conference were Prof (Dr) Soubhagya Panigrahi, Head of the Department of Neurosurgery, and Dr Srimanta Pattanaik, Associate Professor in the Department of Neurology.